ForceSelect Foundation to benefit from social media shopping channel

Nov. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- London, November 7 2010 – The ForceSelect Foundation, which raises money for small military charities in the UK, is to be a charity partner for new social media shopping channel BagThat, which launches today.

BagThat is a new virtual store that uses the power of social networking to provide value for money to consumers and boost sales, with Halfords, Thomas Cook, Neilsons and Champneys among the first of many leading high street brands to sign up.

BagThat offers a range of high quality, branded products but instead of naming a firm price, the customer will be asked what they would be willing to pay.

By aggregating individual requests from potentially thousands of consumers, BagThat works with retailers to offer the best possible price to the maximum number of people.  All transactions will be handled by the global leader in online payments, PayPal.

General Sir Mike Jackson, chairman of Trustees, The ForceSelect Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to BagThat for making The Foundation one of their chosen charities. We are sure that your support for The Foundation will allow us to make real differences to the lives of those who have been affected by the rigours of military life. In our first year we gave £60,000 out to deserving causes, please help us as there are many more service charities who need our help.”

Andy Sutton, Founder & CEO, BagThat, said: “I am also pleased that we are able to announce our partnership with such top quality retail brands, and look forward to developing our exciting concept with them over time.”

The ForceSelect Foundation will receive a percentage of the profits from leading recruitment consultancy and sister company, ForceSelect, as well as a number of stand-alone charity initiatives, corporate and individual donations.

The ForceSelect Foundation Trustees, led by General Jackson, also include double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes; Sir John Rose, Chief executive of Rolls Royce plc; and Stephen Morris, a non-executive director of ForceSelect.

Funds raised will be distributed by the Trustees to a number of military charities with a particular focus on smaller service charities and events. The ForceSelect Foundation will pool all raised funds and encourage applications from smaller service charities and events. Twice a year the trustees will sit to consider the applications and award grants accordingly.

It will look to build strong links with the charities and encourage subsequent bids if the awards have fulfilled their original aims. Ends


NOTES TO EDITORS

The ForceSelect Foundation is lead by former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson.Other Trustees include Dame Kelly Holmes MBE, Sir John Rose and Stephen Morris.

Funds are raised in a number of ways. Leading recruitment consultancy ForceSelect is donating a percentage of its profits to the ForceSelect Foundation while corporate and individual donations and fundraising activities will also contribute towards the Foundation’s fund.

The ForceSelect Foundation Board of Trustees will meet twice a year to decide who to donate to. ForceSelect was set up in 2009 by former Army officer Hugh Andrée to provide military service leavers – currently estimated to be around 20,000 each year – with the best and most appropriate career opportunities within UK businesses.

If you wish to donate, please visit: www.forceselect.org

ForceSelect believes that Armed Forces leavers are efficient, reliable, disciplined, and self-motivated candidates who can contribute positively to British society and the workforce.

All ForceSelect staff have served in the military including Managing Director Hugh Andrée; Director, best-selling author and SAS hero Andy McNab DCM MM; and Non-Executive Director, ForceSelect Foundation chairman and former Chief of General Staff General Sir Michael Jackson GCB CBE DSO DL.

ForceSelect has recently agreed partnership deals with UPS, McDonald’s and PWC. It is keen to sign up with a wide range of large and small businesses across the UK across all business sectors.

ForceSelect is implementing a mentoring and support programme to provide advice and guidance to individuals having left the Armed Forces, enabling a seamless transition from service life into civilian employment.

ForceSelect is developing a national network of volunteers who are willing to give up some of their time to help ex-service people living in their area. This mentoring will be offered to every service leaver placed in a new job and will cover areas such as accommodation, financial matters, medical matters and the different culture of civilian life.


For any further information about how to donate or apply for funding, please contact:
Damon Jarrett
ForceSelect Foundation   
djarrett@forceselect.org

For media inquiries, please contact:
David Alexander
Calacus PR
david.alexander@calacus.com
+44 (0) 7802 412424

For further BagThat enquires, please contact:
Cordelia Meacher +44 (0) 7961 311080 cordelia.meacher@hotwirepr.com
www.bagthat.com

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Calacus PR was established in 2007 by David Alexander, a former national and international sports journalist. Calacus has expertise in international sports campaigns, media relations, consumer and corporate consultancy and athlete representation.