News
Virgin Mobile launches new Directory Enquiries number 118 918 to support Youth charities this Christmas
01/11/2007
- Text to donate £1 service for VM users launched at same time and matched per pound by Virgin Mobile.
01.11.2007: Virgin Mobile has today launched a new initiative for all phone users to donate to two fantastic charities running Christmas projects this year. By dialling 118 918 for their directory enquiry needs, callers will be donating 20p of the price of the call to the charities Kids Company & Foyer.
This is the maximum amount per call ever contributed directly to any charity as a result of using this kind of service and the new service can be called from any mobile or fixed line provider where the network operator allows access.
In addition, Virgin Mobile users can simply text the word 'DONATE' to 84744 – and £1 will be taken from their credit and given direct to the same charities. Then Virgin Mobile will immediately match each donation by gifting a further £1 – simple! Virgin Mobile also pay for the text, so all money goes straight to the charities.
Kids Company is a London-based charity that offers practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people. This Christmas, they are expecting around 800 kids to drop in for lunch on Christmas Day and Virgin Mobile's customers donations will help to ensure they're ready to cater a festive meal to remember. www.kidsco.org.uk
There are 135 UK Foyer centres which offer 10,000 young people who may be young offenders, care leavers, refugees or at risk due to family breakdown, a chance to get back on their feet through accommodation, job search, personal support and motivation. Foyer will be launching various schemes to guarantee the young people in their care throughout the festive season have a great and memorable Christmas. www.foyer.net
Graeme Oxby, Managing Director, Virgin Mobile says: "Kids Company and Foyer are two incredible charities, offering invaluable support to young people. Virgin Mobile is really pleased to launch these schemes to allow people to give to these charities and make a difference at Christmas time and beyond."
Camila Batmanghelidjh from Kids Company says: "Virgin do miracles. The most special of these miracles is making Christmas a day to look forward to for children who would otherwise dread it."
Jane Slowey, Chief Executive, Foyer, says: "The festive season is often a difficult time for vulnerable young people. Virgin Mobile's support will help Foyers across the UK provide thousands of young people with an opportunity to celebrate in style."
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Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile Press Office: 0845 600 6272 or press.office@virginmobile.com
Simon Dornan: 07847 279666 or simon.dornan@virginmobile.com
Paul Valentine: 020 7291 3000 or paul@henryshouse.com
About Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile is the UK's largest mobile virtual network operator and uses T-Mobile's network. Since its launch in November 1999, Virgin Mobile has attracted more than 4 million customers.
Virgin Mobile is part of Virgin Media. The first company to be able to offer `Quadplay' services to customers comprising of landline, TV mobile and broadband.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600; on the web at www.virginmobile.co.uk or on the high street at approximately 5,000 outlets including Virgin Mobile Stores within Virgin Megastores and selected WHSmiths, The Carphone Warehouse, The Link, Phones 4 U, Currys.digital, Comet, Tesco, Asda, John Lewis, Argos, Woolworths, Toys R Us, Ryman, web retailer Dial-a-phone plus hundreds of independent mobile phone dealers and available via Shop Direct/Littlewoods, Grattan and Empire home shopping channels.
Virgin Mobile Pay Monthly (contract) is currently available in Virgin Mobile Stores, The Carphone Warehouse, The Link, Phones 4u, at concessions in WHSmith and from www.virginmobile.co.uk
Virgin Mobile employs approximately 1,700 staff at three sites, Trowbridge, London and Daventry, and has an outsourced customer service centre operated by approximately 200 staff in Middlesbrough.
Since 2000, Virgin Mobile has consecutively won the Best Customer Service award at the Mobile Choice Awards and has been voted one of the UK's best 25 workplaces in the Financial Times survey for three years running. 2006 also saw www.virginmobile.co.uk voted 'Website of the Year 2006'.
The Directory Enquiries service is provided by Spiritel plc (www.spiritelplc.com)
