Tech entrepreneur Louis-James Davis has joined children鈥檚 cancer research charity Kidscan as an ambassador and member of its fundraising board.
The CEO of Manchester-based cyber security firm VST Enterprises joins other leading entrepreneurs and business professionals in helping to develop fundraising initiatives and acceptance of cashless donations.
The declining use of cash is changing the way the charity sector raises funds and interacts with supporters, with charities increasingly turning to tech to raise vital funds.
A recent national study found 40 per cent of adults who regularly donate money to charity collectors say they are giving 拢14 less each than they did last year as they are carrying less cash in their pockets.
Davis has worked with the Institute of Fundraising while VST Enterprises has carried out pioneering work on new ways to engage with donors through its VCode scanning technology: VDonate enables convenient and secure donations via a system which takes users through to a range of donation options and charity information. It also provides donors with notifications on how the money is being spent, along with any new initiatives in the future.
鈥淎fter knowing Louis-James for several years, we welcome him to the newly formed fundraising board and as an ambassador for the charity, bringing his unique experience and expertise in cashless donations and business development to the board,鈥� said Martin Keelagher, chair of .
鈥淟ouis-James鈥� enthusiasm and passion for the research which we support through Kidscan will also be vital in helping us raise our profile on a national and international stage, so we can continue to fund ground-breaking research, which has the potential to benefit children across the globe suffering from cancer.鈥�
Davis commented: 鈥淎s a father, and knowing friends who have suffered from cancer, it is hugely important to me personally to help in the fight against a truly awful illness.
鈥淜idscan is an amazing charity that has huge potential to make a vast impact on the lives of children suffering with cancer across globe.
鈥淭he charity receives no statutory funding, relying entirely on the generous contributions of voluntary fundraisers, so I鈥檓 particularly happy to bring our technology and my expertise to Kidscan to help it meet the modern fundraising challenges of an increasingly cashless society.
鈥淚鈥檓 also pleased to be in a position to financially support Kidscan and believe that the business community should use their resources to support charities such as Kidscan wherever possible.鈥�