Rachel Markham is the Marketing and Fundraising Manager of Charity Link, a local charity that has been supporting local individuals and families in financial hardship and crisis for 150 years.   Charity Link provides items including clothing, beds, cookers, washing machines, fridge freezers, and medical and mobility equipment for those most in need, helping to ensure everyone in our community has a decent standard of living, no matter what they are going through. A third of those Charity Link helps are children and young people, and many clients are impacted by homelessness, mental health issues, illness and disability, domestic violence, caring responsibilities, and changes in circumstances such as breakdowns in family relationships, bereavement and redundancy. Charity Link works with over 250 different local charities and organisations to get help to those who need it, when they need it.

As Marketing and Fundraising Manager, Rachel helps to raise awareness of Charity Link’s work, build support from the local community and businesses, and promote the many ways people can Get Involved in helping vulnerable individuals and families.  For example, the charity has its Proud Business Supporter Club, which offers five levels of membership for businesses looking to make a tangible difference whilst taking advantage of the many opportunities that Club membership provides. Rachel is always keen to hear from businesses interested in learning more about joining the PBS Community. Rachel is also responsible for running a varied programme of events and challenges, including Charity Link’s annual  ‘Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge’ each September, which Rachel completed numerous times before the event grew so much that she is needed behind the scenes!

Alongside its direct support for people in need, Charity Link also has two trading arms which directly support its core work.  The Charity Link Trust Administration Service supports other charities, not-for-profit organisations and philanthropic projects with governance, consultancy, clerkship and grant administration, and The Goods Depot provides essential items to Charity Link clients and externally to organisations supporting people in need.  Rachel is involved in supporting the growth of both.

What makes Rachel’s work especially valuable is the role she plays in helping connect the wider community to Charity Link’s mission. By supporting fundraising, awareness and partnerships, she helps ensure more local people facing hardship can access the practical help they need at the right time. To find out more about Rachel and the work of the charity, visit Charity Link, explore ways to get involved, and read about the charity’s impact on vulnerable lives.