‘BE KIND this Christmas’ – that is the message of a campaign launched by a Coventry businessman to raise money and awareness for a local mental health charity.
Mark Farr, the CEO of Purple Planet Packaging, has drawn on personal experience to unveil a Christmas cup with a message of support for Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind (CWWM).
The company, which sells sustainable packaging and containers for the food and drink industry, will donate £2 of profits on each case of its Christmas cups ordered.
The cups feature the simple message ‘be kind this Christmas’, as well as a QR code which links to a webpage where people can donate to CWW Mind – and explore mental health support available over the festive period.
Mark said: “I know from personal experience that people still find it hard to talk about mental health issues because there is still that stigma. There is still a thought for some people – especially men – that we should hide our feelings.
“I have been through it myself so I know what it is like and that is why I wanted to support CWWM.
“It is a brilliant charity to work with and we’re encouraging businesses to get involved with supporting the campaign. Of course, it’s about raising funds but also about awareness too, so we can get more people speaking out.”
CWWM will earmark any funds raised to support its community allotments near the Arches Industrial Estate in the city.
The allotments offer a sanctuary to those facing mental health issues where they grow fresh produce, much of which is sold on or turned into products such as chutney.
The charity’s CEO Steven Hill said: “We are delighted to be working with Purple Planet Packaging on this campaign.
“We like to dedicate this kind of fundraising to our allotments because then everyone who supports it can see the tangible benefits of their donations.”
The campaign has already gained support from Coventry Lord Mayor Coun Rachel Lancaster and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Coun Lancaster added: “Purple Planet Packaging is a great example of a Coventry company that wants to give back to the city in so many ways and this is a fantastic initiative in the run up to Christmas.
“Be kind this Christmas is a simple but very powerful message and one that we can all get behind.”
Gurprit Singh of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce said: “We’re encouraging businesses to get behind this campaign – it might mean purchasing just one case of cups, which will see vital funds being donated to CWW Mind.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/purpleplanetpackaging for more information, or to donate.
