The Media Trust is to launch a campaign to boost volunteer numbers
in the charity sector.
On behalf of a range of charities, including Crisis and Age Concern, the
Trust, which acts as a link between the media and charities, has pledged
to promote volunteering to as wide an audience as possible.
The focus of the campaign, called Timestars, is a deal with Teletext to
produce pages about volunteering on its service. These will include
celebrity-led features on the importance of volunteering and information
on how to volunteer.
The campaign has been funded by a £150,000 Home Office grant, with
£50,000 to be spent each year during the next three years.
Celebrities backing the campaign include Carol Vorderman and Geri
Halliwell.
The campaign will be launched by minister for broadcasting Dr Kim
Howells on 6 November.
It will first focus on an appeal for Crisis calling for volunteers to
help the homeless over the Christmas period.
