Leeds ‘one of most generous cities in UK’, says survey

Local News

• Leeds is one of the most generous cities in the UK; More than 80% of people believe it’s important that the UK helps the poorest people in the world 

• VW Camper Van Summer Bus Tour to find most charitable people in the UK,hits Leeds West Indian Carnival

 

Leeds is one of the most generous cities in the UK with more than 80 per cent of people believing it is important that the UK keeps its promises to help the poorest people in the world, according to an Attitudes to International Aid Survey by leading UK membership bodyBond. 

Nearly half of people questioned in Leeds said they have donated and would donate money to emergency appeals such as the recent Nepal earthquake, compared to people in other cities such as Brighton where only 35% of the population have given money for similar causes.  The survey comes as Bond (UK membership body for international development organisations) brought its VW Camper Van Summer Bus Tour – to find the most charitable people in the UK – to the Leeds West Indian Carnival from 12pm to 6pm on Monday 31stAugust 2015.

The Bond Bus was in the ‘health quarter’ in Potternewton Park in Harehills Lane where people from Bond and local volunteers from Leeds talked to people at the city’s Carnival about international aid and the role the UK plays around the world, to support people living in poverty.

Ben Jackson, CEO of Bond said: “We are really pleased to have brought the Bond 10 Day Summer Tour to Leeds to celebrate the role we play in helping others around the world despite fierce criticism from people who question the UK’s aid commitment.  It is a great opportunity to talk to people here, which our survey found to be one of the most generous places in the UK.  And where better to do that than at Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean carnival parade.

“2015 is an important and historic year, as the world looks back over the past 15 years of progress made to overcome poverty, and looks forward to the next 15 years on how we tackle poverty, inequality and climate change. These global goals (Sustainable Development Goals) are just as important for the UK as it is for other countries.”

Bond’s Attitudes to International Aid Survey found that people in Leeds were also one of the most generous when donating money in emergencies with 42 per cent of people donating money. There are also more ethical shoppers in Leeds with nearly a third of people in the city saying they would buy and boycott products for environmental, ethical or political reasons compared to just 14% of people in Cardiff.

The survey was commissioned during 2015 to also mark the European Year of Development2015 which highlights the results the European Union and member countries – including the UK – have achieved to date in tackling global poverty. The UK is Europe’s top overseas donor according to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operations  and Development (OECD).  The Bond Bus is also part of the global campaign action2015 which involves over 1950 organisations around the world, all committed to fighting for a better future for people and the planet.

Photo caption: Local volunteers from VSO and WaterAid with Bond’s VW Camper Van.

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