The National Garden Scheme (www.ngs.org.uk) continued to lead the digitalisation of charity at Chilworth Manor in Surrey on 11th August, at an event supported by Dame Mary Berry, President of the National Garden Scheme, in partnership with London-based fintech SumUp (www.sumup.co.uk).

Chilworth Manor – rarely open to the public - played host to an evening of hospitality and live music from jazz quartet Down for the Count, in the magnificent setting of the walled garden.

How Brits give money to charity is changing. The days of rattling charity buckets full of coins are dwindling as payment technology has evolved in line with our habits. Gone are the days when you would have to scramble for change in your pocket or bag, often these days you can tap away, do your bit, and keep moving. 

According to SumUp data, 73% of charities are saying that street giving is falling simply because people do not carry enough cash, so investing in digital solutions seems the inevitable way forward, however only 14% of charities say they are well prepared to take advantage of contactless payments. 56% of charities said they have not adopted the tech because of the cost required to buy the equipment and 50% of charities are actively exploring investment in new ways for their supporters to donate. 

Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, George Plumptre, said of the event:

“The National Garden Scheme’s new partnership with SumUp has transformed the charity’s financial efficiency. From being a cash-only organisation with all the challenges that brings in a Coronavirus world, we have been able to offer our garden owners the option to have a card reader on their open day with all the benefits this brings for them and their visitors who now have the option to pay by card. SumUp have dealt with and supported our order for 1,000 card readers and our complicated financial reporting structure brilliantly. 

“At a stroke we have gone from being a financial dinosaur to being properly up to date with the offering for our customers. SumUp’s generous support for our event at Chilworth Manor and enabling us to use the card readers at our wider fundraising events is the icing on the cake.”

Commenting, Umberto Zola, Country Growth Lead UK at SumUp, said:

“SumUp is delighted to support the UK’s charitable sector through our partnership with the National Garden Scheme and CollecTin. It is only right to make our technology and network available to the people that provide care and support to people in need. Supporters of the National Garden Scheme are funding incredible work and we at SumUp are only too happy to help in any way we can.”

The partnership between SumUp and CollectIn (www.collectin.com) means that charitable donations are as effortless as buying a coffee. In a single deft motion, you can now change someone’s life, fund invaluable research, and provide support to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Events such as those organised by the National Garden Scheme are central to the charity’s long-term health and success, as it supports numerous charities such as the Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.