Profits of Oxfam soar

By at home

fundraiser thermometer_31_07_12Having announced eco warrior and wife of Colin, Livia Firth. as the charity’s new global ambassador, Oxfam look back on a year of extraordinary fundraising.

In a time of economic uncertainty it’s often a little disheartening to hear about the booming profits of luxury fashion houses. Yes, the likes of Mulberry and Co. are bolstering the British industry with their wares, but how many of us treat ourselves to a new 500 pound handbag every month?

So, to some leading profit-based news that will hearten even the most strapped for cash out there: trading figures have shown that Oxfam’s profits have hit a record high this year. While you may still envy the odd glimpse of a luxe leather handbag, it’s good to know that it’s the generosity of the British public that have bumped up sales of the low-budget charity organisation.

Indeed the staggering sales figures have not been easy to achieve. The company had to contend with a tragic fire at the charity’s Wastesaver textile sorting facility, knocking back their stock supply by a severely detrimental amount.

Despite this damage Oxfam stores have seen a five per cent income increase on last year – up £18m to £385.5m. The fundraising income, which includes donations from supporters, the public and institutional income, has increased eight per cent. Standing now at £89.9m, Oxfam’s retail sales are £4m higher than last year. The overall contribution from Oxfam’s shop network rose to £25.5m, meanwhile.

Far from getting giddy about their success, Oxfam chiefs are remaining level headed about the matter. Bob Humphreys, Oxfam’s Finance Director conceded that ‘Fundraising is tough, and may continue to be so, but we have seen a terrific response from the public’ before cautioning that ‘we are still urgently seeking more donations in clothes and books to our network of Oxfam shops and to build our base of regular donors. By continuing to increase our income, we can ensure that we continue to help more and more poor and vulnerable people around the world.’

And the company certainly knows what they are doing with their donations. In the past year Oxfam have helped 15 million people across 55 countries. The financial aid has provided access to clean water and sanitation, and has helped educate over two million people about women’s rights. Twenty-seven humanitarian crises have been supplied with emergency shelter in the wake of disasters, while support has been offered to victims rebuilding their livelihoods after the tragedies.

With Oxfam having recently named wife of Colin Firth and noted eco benefactor Livia Firth as their global ambassador, here’s to another year of fruitful campaigning and fundraising work under her wing.

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Picture credit: Shutterstock

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