Data taken from specialist insurer Ecclesiastical’s Movement for Good awards has revealed that brokers in the UK still intend to donate to good causes despite the difficult social and economic challenges caused by COVID-19.

According to ICMIF member Ecclesiastical, 1,035 brokers voted for 572 charities across the UK in the insurer’s Movement for Good awards. Analysis of the nominations shows an overwhelming majority (93%) of brokers are still likely to donate money.

Ecclesiastical’s Movement for Good awards will see a total of GBP 1 million given to charities across the UK this summer. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 awards of GBP 1,000 available for donation to charities in the first round of the awards.

More than a quarter of a million members of the British public (253,879) supported the Movement for Good awards, voting for a total of 13,695 charitable causes across the UK. The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

Data taken from the voting process has revealed that brokers are more likely to support a local charity than a national one at the current time with causes linked to health and the community being top of the list. A third (33%) of brokers have pledged support to a health charity, with community charities receiving 24% of the overall support.

Thanking brokers who nominated a charity, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Ecclesiastical, said: “We have seen an overwhelming public response to our Movement for Good awards and would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause. It’s clear that people care deeply about those in need, perhaps even more so at a time when charities and in turn the people and projects they support, need it the most. Indeed, from looking at the nomination data, community and healthcare organisations are understandably front of mind recently.

“Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

For more information about the Movement for Good awards and for a full list of the winning charities, visit: www.ecclesiastical.com/movementforgood

Later this summer, a further ten charities will also be chosen by a panel of judges to receive GBP 50,000 from Ecclesiastical to be put towards the advancement of education, skills, arts, culture and heritage, as well as citizenship or community development.

From 15 June 2020, charities are invited to apply for the substantial grant with applications being assessed against four key areas: impact and effectiveness; sustainability; innovation; and care and compassion. The successful charities will be announced from Monday 21 September 2020.

Earlier this month, Ecclesiastical announced that it was extending additional cover for UK businesses and provides measures to help them transition out of lockdown and last month the insurer announced it had joined more than 250 firms globally in making the public commitment to tackle the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic when it became the first insurer to sign the C-19 Business Pledge.