OVER-50S SAY CUT INTERNATIONAL AID BUDGETS IN LINE WITH UK AUSTERITY PLANS.

EMMA SOAMES

SAGA MAGAZINE
PRESS RELEASE

August 9, 2010.

OVER-50S SAY CUT INTERNATIONAL AID BUDGETS IN LINE WITH UK AUSTERITY PLANS.

Three-quarters of over-50s say that overseas aid budgets should be cut in the same spirit as domestic austerity measures.

Of 13,391 over-50s surveyed by Populus on behalf of Saga - the lifestyle, financial services and travel organisation catering for the older generations - 76% say that a pragmatic and realistic approach should be taken when it comes to spending abroad, and budgets should be cut.

Emma Soames, editor-at-large of Saga Magazine, said: “We’re a generous nation, but the elderly in the UK have been told they, like the rest of us, must accept austerity plans laid down by the government.

“But there is danger of injustice if international aid budgets favour foreign needs over domestic spending needs.

“The Saga Generation recognises that there’s an ebb and flow to the financial fortunes of the UK, and when there is plenty to go round then we should help the less fortunate abroad.

“However, when times are tight then the money should stay within our shores; by looking after our own in the short-term in difficult times, we are able to amass financial momentum and mass which means we can return to international support for the needy when financial times improve.”

Populus received 13,391 responses from Saga members aged 50 and over to its online poll for Saga between 9th and 16th July 2010.

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Further information:
Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
www.saga.co.uk

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, was editor of Saga Magazine from 2002-2008. Previously she edited the Telegraph Magazine for seven years and before that was editor of ES Magazine, Tatler and the Literary Review.

HOUSING UNITS STAFF DIG DEEP FOR THE CHRISTIE

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/41414/store-staff-dig-deep-for-christie

WEEKS OF TALK ABOUT CHANGE – BUT NOT AT HOUSING UNITS

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

May 13, 2010.

WEEKS OF TALK ABOUT CHANGE – BUT NOT AT HOUSING UNITS.

Photo available.

The talk has been all about “change” for the past few weeks - but not at Housing Units (www.housingunits.co.uk), as the store decided to continue its support of The Christie cancer hospital.

And the latest donation to The Christie from Housing Units was for £8,932.

“Our staff don’t sit around – despite the numbers of chairs and sofas we have in store – they get up and devise, organise and run all sorts of charity activities,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units.

“In the past 12 months the Housing Units team has held in-store collections, organised a golf day, been involved in charity runs, raffles arranged Santa visits and a real shopping list of other ideas and activities – and that means our running total for The Christie, including the latest donation, is £19,282.

“The staff have been brilliant – and, what’s more, they’ve had great fun doing it.

“It’s no secret that The Christie is currently facing some challenges, so we are particularly delighted to be able to help in such a timely fashion.  The ongoing challenge for The Christie, however, is the simple matter that few people who have not been touched by cancer – whether personally or through a friend or relative – truly appreciate the importance of fund raising and support, and the impact that even a small amount can have upon the recovery or wellbeing of a cancer sufferer and their family.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

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Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk