Show your love for Rotherham

The I Love Rotherham initiative is encouraging businesses and individuals to make a New Year's resolution to support the town's grassroot charities and worthy causes.

If they do, every pound donated will be matched by the Government as part of the national Grassroots Grant scheme and will see all money raised in Rotherham staying in the borough.

The Rotherham Advertiser, along with the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotherham Titans, was among the first organisations to jump on board the project which is being spearheaded by the South Yorkshire Community Foundation.

Doug Melloy, the Advertiser's editor, said:"There are many organisations in Rotherham that are doing excellent work in the community and it's a privilege to be part of an initiative which will enable them to fulfil their aspirations."

One of the ways that people can get involved in the campaign straight away is to change their internet search engine to www.everyclick.com/rotherham.

Every time an internet search is made through this site, it automatically raises money for causes in Rotherham without the searcher having to spend anything themselves.

Paul Benington, from the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, said: "This is a fantastic way that people can do their bit to kick-start the I Love Rotherham campaign.

"It costs you absolutely nothing to take part, as the money raised for Rotherham causes comes straight from Everyclick's advertising revenue.

"The more passionate Rotherham folk that get involved, the more local causes will benefit so we would urge local people to get going right away and help change Rotherham one click at a time."

The I Love Rotherham campaign is also set to come to life on February 12 when the town  will join forces for the first I Love Rotherham Day.

Paul added: "We are asking people to get involved with a variety of initiatives, whether it be a dress-down day at their workplace or a sponsored walk at school.

"Rotherham people are some of the most generous in the country and what we are finding at the moment is that there is still a huge commitment to helping other people.

"With the pound-for-pound match funding, we are giving businesses, organisations and individuals the opportunity to get more bang for their buck with the most effective donation they will ever make.

"Whether it is a £2 donation or a larger donation, every little bit helps towards making sure Rotherham doesn't miss out."

South Yorkshire Community Foundation helps philanthropists, businesses and trusts to achieve their goals by setting up charitable funds that support community groups at a grass roots level. Last year the Community Foundation awarded more than £2.5 million in community grants.

The Grassroots Grants scheme is a three-year programme, now in its second year.

Thanks to the charity meeting its fund-raising targets last year, Rotherham has already been allocated an extra £85,000 for grass-root causes which will be doubled, pound for pound, if the town can match the figure itself.

This is in addition to a further £250,000 for the town which has the potential to also be matched by the Government if people in Rotherham can hit the figure through their own fund-raising.

That means that Rotherham could be in for a £670,000 windfall if the targets above are met by individuals, organisations and businesses in the area.

Paul added: "In the first year of Grassroots Grants, more than half of the country had to send match-funding back to the Treasury. We want to make sure that this doesn't happen in Rotherham and that we all come together to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity."

For more information or to receive your free I Love Rotherham Official Supporter Poster, e-mail SYCF at [email protected].