Next up, the surprising Uber PR link up with Cancer Research UK
Uber’s thirst for positive PR gathers further momentum as the controversial ride-hailing app announces its support with the UK’s biggest charity Cancer Research UK.
The cancer charity will join the under pressure private hire firm and help with its uberGIVING initiative. This Saturday, people in cities across the UK can order a car, load it up with bags of unwanted items and send it off to be taken to Cancer Research UK’s network of 600 charity shops.
Cancer Research UK have in the past been very protective of its brand and core values when it comes to Corporate Partnerships. However, they have now let the much maligned minicab firm use its respected brand at a time when Uber are looking for much needed public support as they take to court in a bid to win back its London operators licence.
The taxi trade across the UK has in the past heavily supported Cancer Research UK at local level. The charity’s all night Shine event saw London drivers donate their time and ferry participants free of charge around the capital.
Tom Elvidge, General Manager of Uber in the UK, said: “UberGIVING is one of our favourite initiatives and is the perfect opportunity for people to give items to charity and let Uber do the work. Many people are unable to get to a convenient local charity shop due to busy schedules, yet have lots of unwanted items taking up space. We are proud that Uber can step in and be of service.” Caro Evans, director of partnerships at Cancer Research UK, said: “At Cancer Research UK, we rely entirely on the generosity of the public to fund our life-saving research, and donations to our shops are an absolutely vital part of our fundraising. We’re really excited to be working with Uber on this initiative. Cancer Research UK has nearly 600 shops across the UK so finding new and imaginative ways for people to donate their unwanted items is really exciting.” UberGIVING will be available in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Brighton, Cardiff, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Liverpool will not