THE InStrabane Gift Card scheme have joined forces with online crowd funding specialists CollectionPot to allow groups of people to pool their funds when gifting the card.
The initiative aims to make it easier for families and friends to collect money during the current restrictions and to offer a convenient way to send a gift of thanks to frontline and key workers for their efforts at this critical time.
The InStrabane Gift Card Scheme was launched in 2018 and aims to allow local businesses to work together to promote Strabane’s retail offering and to encourage people to make the effort to shop in the town and support local businesses.
The cards range in value from £5 to £200 and over 70 businesses are registered.
Sinead Lynch, Derry City and Strabane District Council Business Officer, said the new partnership would allow people to gift the card while staying at home during the current restrictions to combat the spread of the Covid 19 virus.
“The current crisis has meant many local businesses have had to come up with new and innovative ways to offer their services and connect with customers,” she said.
“The InStrabane Gift Card Scheme’s partnership with CollectionPot will allow residents and local businesses to collect money online and load the funds onto the card and spend it straightaway in local businesses, at this critical time.
“CollectionPot provides an innovative way for an individual or organisation to set up an online collectionpot for any occasion, birthdays and of course thank you gifts.
“With more people working from home than ever and unable to meet with friends and family this is an ideal tool to still be able to collectively gather funds and celebrate even while socially distanced.
“It will enable parents to thank teachers for the work they are doing to support our children, it will enable people to collect money for key workers to say thank you for everything they are doing right now.
“All of the money collected will be loaded onto the InStrabane Gift Cards to be spent in local businesses, helping to secure jobs and support businesses as they continue, or begin, to trade.
“Local companies can support Strabane businesses by promoting the scheme to their staff or to consider buying cards for employee incentives.
“This will directly benefit the town’s businesses that accept the card, helping to safeguard a vibrant and thriving Strabane town centre.”
Strabane BID Chairman and Managing Director of O’Neill’s Sportswear Kieran Kennedy said the partnership was an ideal way for people to join forces to offer their thanks to key workers.
“On behalf of the Strabane BID I’d like to welcome this innovative partnership with CollectionPot,” he said.
“At this critical time local businesses need to work together to collaborate, innovate and provide resources to support the local community.
“This partnership allows local people to join forces to support key workers and volunteers as well as providing friends and family with a great gift that shows their support for their local businesses, at a time when we are working hard to adapt and support the community”.
To purchase an InStrabane gift card or for more information, visit https://instrabanegiftcard.com/
Recipients can check the balance and status of their card using the links and numbers noted on the back of the card.
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