Seasonal greeting cards donations “a valuable part of the RSPCA’s fundraising effort”

The Christmas card season is rapidly approaching, and leading animal welfare charity the RSPCA is able to celebrate a strong presence in the market yet again thanks to Special Editions, WHSmith and John Lewis. All of these major names are producing a wide range of charity cards for the 2012 Christmas season promoting a number of key charities — including the RSPCA. And all the partners will be offering a choice of designs that has something for everyone; they include traditional, photographic, contemporary and religious images. Special Editions is the charity Christmas division of UK Greetings, the UK’s market-leading direct-to-retail publisher and manufacturer of greeting cards and associated social expression products. The Special Editions range is available in a variety of formats, from boxed, hand-finished cards and bumper packs through to single design cello packs. The cards are now available in Harrods, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Ryman, Martin McColl, Ocado, a number of smaller department store groups, independent card shops all over the UK and online outlets. On the back of each card are an RSPCA logo and a message highlighting the work the RSPCA does rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming injured, sick or neglected animals. Each card pack also contains a special slip thanking the customer for helping the charity.

The WHSmith charity cards range is made up of nine cards promoting five charities, including the RSPCA, with profits divided evenly between all of them. Available since early October in almost 500 stores and online at www.whsmith.co.uk, all the cards promote the charities supported with logos on the back of the cards and the front and back of the packaging.

The John Lewis cards are now on sale in all of the more than 40 John Lewis stores throughout the UK, in Peter Jones, Sloane Square, and online at www.johnlewis.com. They are sold in packs of five, ten, 24, 25, 28 and 30. Twenty-five per cent of the pack price will go to a group of four charities, including the RSPCA. The charities’ names and logos appear on the back of the cards and on the card packs.

RSPCA licensing manager Cathy Snow says, “Donations from seasonal card sales are a valuable part of the RSPCA’s fundraising effort. Our thanks therefore to Special Editions, WHSmith and John Lewis. Their support is enormously appreciated and we will continue to encourage the public to buy these cards that support our work helping animals in England and Wales.”

This is another significant boost to the RSPCA’s seasonal promotions and its fast-growing licensing campaign. The campaign has already seen the charity make strong inroads as a trusted and high-quality brand into a number of categories. The RSPCA is looking at, or has already signed, deals in such areas as apparel, giftware, toys, housewares, stationery, publishing, pet food, wild animal food and pet accessories.

Beth Keown General Sales Manager, Special Editions, says, “We have been partners with the RSPCA for over a decade and are delighted to be able to continue that partnership. As one of the UK’s most successful greeting cards producers we believe we can make a significant and lasting contribution to the RSPCA’s valuable work.”

Alice Dunne, Seasonal Stationery Buyer, WHSmith, says, “Christmas giving is a major part of charitable donations and we are keen to help at this important time for charities. In particular WHSmith is proud to promote the RSPCA’s important work helping animals through its charity cards range.”

Jane Bailess, Assistant Buyer, Seasonal Events, John Lewis, says: “John Lewis has a long history of working with the RSPCA. Since 2006, the RSPCA has been one of the charities that has benefited from the sale of John Lewis Christmas cards or merchandise. We’re delighted to continue that association for 2012 and support such a worthwhile cause.”

The RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales. Registered charity no. 219099.