‘Tis the Season of Giving: Trade in your old mobile phone to donate data to those facing financial hardship this Christmas.
The Christmas lights were switched on at St. Katharine Docks by actor David Suchet. Other highlights from the evening included a choir performing Christmas carols, are large fairy-lit anchor on Marble Quay and a giant Santa hat on the piazza. © Lucy Young 2017 07799118984 [email protected] www.lucyyoungphotos.co.uk
Christmas really is the season to be connected, with two in five (42%) people in the UK relying on the internet over the festive period more than at any other
time of year.
A new study3
commissioned by Tesco Mobile reveals that people in the UK plan to spend an average of 110 hours4
on their phones over the festive period, with almost a quarter (23%) regularly using up all their monthly data allowance at this time.
Yet while people are increasingly reliant on connection at this time of year, there are still 1.7 million households1
living without any broadband or mobile internet access across the UK.
In a bid to change that, the helpful network is giving the UK the chance to give the gift of connection when they trade in their used devices.
There are currently over 63 million2
old phones sitting unused in homes across the UK. And with almost a third (31%) of people viewing the festive period5
as an opportunity to purchase a new phone that number is only expected to increase.
From 1st
December, for every device traded in this December, Tesco Mobile will donate a pre-loaded SIM card to the Trussell Trust to be distributed through its network of food banks and help keep people struggling to afford the essentials digitally connected. Moreover,
every donation is the gift that keeps on giving: every person who trades in a used device can receive either a Tesco gift card, or cash6,
as an extra help during one of the most expensive times of the year.
The research also revealed that more than two thirds (69%) of UK households are holding onto at least one device they aren’t using, but these could easily
be recycled or donated to someone who needs it.
Furthermore, two in five (39%) won’t trade in their old phone when they purchase a new one and a third (35%) will upgrade even if there is nothing wrong with
their existing device.
Jonathan Taylor, CEO of Tesco Mobile,
said,
“Many of us take our digital connection for granted, especially during the festive period where we rely on it to keep in touch with loved
ones, but without connection people can be cut off from friends and family, and vital services.
“It’s quick and easy to trade in your old phones and tablets, and by doing so this month, you’ll be helping to connect the growing number of people across
the UK who are struggling to afford the essentials.”
Emma Revie, CEO of the Trussell Trust, commented,
“Our forecasts suggest that food banks within our network will distribute more than one million emergency food parcels this winter – more than any previous
winter. As the price of essentials continues to soar, families are being increasingly caught between keeping themselves fed, warm, or connected to their family and friends. This simply isn’t right. Connectivity, like food or toiletries, is one of life’s essentials.
That’s why the data that will be donated will help make things easier for those facing financial hardship – not only at Christmas, but all year round.”
Tesco Mobile has pledged to connect 50,000 people facing financial hardship by 2025 through its Little Helps Databank. The databank has been designed to support
the Trussell Trust’s foodbank network and help the charity provide services as effectively as possible in the face of unprecedented need.
To donate a used device please visit
www.tescomobile.com/trade-in
and follow these simple steps:
1.
Hop on over to the Assurant trade in website and answer a few quick questions about your device to get an instant valuation
2.
If you’re happy with this valuation, accept the offer and package up your device (Christmas wrapping optional!)
3.
Post your device to the elves at Assurant using their print at home pre-paid label. Once they’ve got your device, they’ll do some checks
and if everything’s in line with their valuation, they’ll either transfer cash to your bank account or send you a Tesco gift card for a little help with your Christmas shopping
4.
Tesco Mobile will automatically donate a data-loaded SIM through our Little Helps Databank, to be distributed via the Trussell Trust
food bank network.
