Generous giving: Willsmer Wagg’s recent donations prove impactful across the UK

Willsmer Wagg is a branded merchandise business based in Worthing, whose catalogue boasts a wide range of products from keyrings to jackets. Within the last month, the company has become an annual subscriber to the A Good Thing platform, meaning it is ready to commit to a sustainable future. In addition to this, it is currently a member of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), meaning that its items are always produced with the environment in mind.

Debbie Willsmer, Managing Director of the firm, told us the reason behind the business donating:

“A client had rebranded, and they requested that we send the old stock to a charity. We got permission to work with A Good Thing to donate the items to different charities. Willsmer Wagg paid for the shipping if the charities were not local, while some items were collected from our warehouse in Nottingham.”

Debbie continued to explain why our platform was such a good option:

“[Using A Good Thing was] a good few minutes’ work and a clearer warehouse, with the products being put to good use and not in storage.”

In all, over 3,000 products were cleared out of Willsmer Wagg’s warehouse and distributed to 11 charities across the UK.

Golf balls, stress balls and baseball caps oh my! 

One of the lucky recipients was the Merlin MS Centre, a neurotherapy non-profit in Cornwall. It importantly helps those with neurological conditions to manage their mental and physical health. Caroline from the charity told us how the 30 golf balls and 18 towels received from Willsmer Wagg would be used:

“These look fabulous and will make great prizes for our next charity golf day.”

Some 60 stress balls were also donated, some of which travelled all the way to The Base youth club in Mid Lothian. Samantha from the charity told us how they would be used:

“We’re really happy to have received the stress balls — they’re fantastic and perfect for a variety of games at our youth club. We’re excited to start using them with the kids once the school term kicks off again.”

Fraserburgh and District Men’s Shed received baseball caps, long-sleeved T-shirts and tote bags from Willsmer Wagg. These will hopefully ensure that the ‘shedders’ are a little warmer as we head into the colder season.

Comfort in clothing

This was not the only men’s shed to benefit from Willsmer Wagg’s large donation: Forth Valley Men’s Shed collected 62 hoodies, and its Chairman Kenny Quinn told us:

“The hoodies were very good quality and the recipients were delighted with them.”

The Sustainable Travel Collective Ltd charity in Nottingham focuses on encouraging more people to be more active by cycling and walking. And it was not a long distance for them to travel to Willsmer Wagg’s warehouse in Nottingham! From there, the charity collected women’s T-shirts, which will do a great job keeping participants warm during exercise.

The last charity to benefit was Community Techaid, whose mission is digital inclusion for all: we are delighted that this match will help it to fulfil this purpose. The charity received tote bags from Willsmer Wagg that will be used to carry laptops home safely.

Gifting gift boxes

Willsmer Wagg distributed a total of 900 giftboxes across three charities, and Ataxia and Me and Sharnford Youth Club were among those who benefited.

At the Radical Weavers Ltd charity in Stirling, Scotland, Mairi told us that these boxes would be used for “handwoven items in our shop”. The charity’s store provides a space for people to try weaving no matter their level, allowing guided progression for anyone who would love to give this skill a go.

A sweet treat

There is a sweeter tone to the last set of donations: Tony’s chocolate bars went to charities who focus on those in need. Both Horsham Matters and Turning Tides in West Sussex provide for those in their local communities, and these chocolate bars will go towards making sure fewer people are hungry.

Moira, who is the Donations Officer for Turning Tides, told us there was excitement over these chocolate bars:

“Most of us like a few sweet treats and the donated chocolate bars have already made a difference – bringing a little happiness. They have flown off the shelves!”

It is clear this thoughtful donation has been able to spread light in the Brighton area.

No limit for Willsmer Wagg

Being centred on the south coast has not restricted Willsmer Wagg’s scope of impact. Through A Good Thing and the numerous matches made, the business has been able to make a difference to hundreds of lives.

And Moira from Turning Tides remembered that this was not the only time A Good Thing had helped:

“This is not the first time we have used A Good Thing – recently we secured several wonderful sofas to furnish flats in a new property.”

In these challenging times, we at A Good Thing are determined to continue connecting businesses and charities.

Have any surplus items ready for donation? Click here to sign up and begin matching.