Why Interact Supports Kidney Care UK

A Kidney, a Community, and 50p a Plate: Why Interact Supports Kidney Care UK

In 2024, we set ourselves a quiet challenge: could Interact raise £4,000 for a single cause – not through sponsorship deals or major fundraising drives, but through the simple, collective actions of our members?

The answer was yes. More than yes.

We have raised £7,400!

That figure wasn’t driven by one grand gesture – it came from a hundred small ones.

• The Derby Christmas Lunch, which raised an incredible £2,000
• The RAC Rising Star Awards Dinner, which contributed £2,400
• And additionally starting us towards this year and not included in last years total, a strong start with £1,500 raised at this years Nottingham Summer BBQ

But one of the most symbolic drivers has been something even more modest: 50p for every plate of food served at our events.

Every time a member or guest sits down at an Interact lunch, Interact National donates 50p to Kidney Care UK. That’s it. No fanfare. No forms. Just a quiet, steady commitment to make each shared meal mean something more.

A National Network in Action

The 50p plate strategy works because it’s visible. Every donation is triggered when a Branch Chair posts a photo of their event in our National WhatsApp group. That image isn’t just proof of a lunch – it’s evidence of momentum.

Bath. Leeds. Leicester. Bristol. Bury St Edmunds – to name a few! Each picture shared says: “We’re active. We’re present. We’re part of something.”

In a landscape where it’s easy to feel like your branch is one of many small dots on a map, the 50p initiative reminds us: Interact is moving all the time, all over the UK. It creates community through visibility – and meaning through repetition.

Why Kidney Care UK?

Kidney disease affects more than 7 million people in the UK. That’s roughly one in ten of us. It’s often invisible. Frequently under-diagnosed. And yet it leads to life-altering treatment – dialysis, transplants, lifelong medical care – for millions.

Kidney Care UK is the leading national charity supporting people living with this reality. They offer financial grants, emotional support, advocacy, advice, and hands-on help to patients and their families. And unlike bigger, more recognised charities, they operate without major corporate backing – so every pound makes a difference.

But we didn’t choose Kidney Care UK just because the numbers made sense. We chose it because of the stories – one story inparticular!

Gina’s Story

Many of you know Gina Oliver, Interact’s tireless Operations Director and Financial Controller who over the last 12 months has been putting in the miles trying to meet as many of you as possible face to face in your own towns and cities.

Last year, Gina underwent a double kidney/pancreas transplant – a transformative, life-saving operation made possible by the NHS and supported every step of the way by Kidney Care UK after being on dialysis for over a year.

Gina now jokes that her new kidney “works better than mine,” and we couldn’t be happier for her. But her story isn’t over. Just 48 hours after the surgery Gina faced a heartbreaking complication and setback and had to have the new pancreas removed due to rejection and almost a year on is now currently preparing for another pancreas transplant, with unwavering resilience, a smile (most days!), and the continued backing of Kidney Care UK.

Gina has become an ambassador for the charity – raising awareness, speaking openly, and helping others see just how far a little support can go. Her courage and humour in the face of a long and difficult journey is just one example of why this cause is so close to our hearts.

What This Means for Our Members

Supporting Kidney Care UK isn’t just a feel-good add-on. It’s a core part of our culture. A way for our members – especially small businesses – to contribute to something bigger. For large companies with ESG strategies, our national partnership adds credibility. For smaller firms without formal CSR programmes, it’s a ready-made opportunity to make a difference.

-Mention it in your bids.
-Share it with your clients.
-Tell the story of how your business is part of something that matters.

Because being generous is good business. At Interact, we believe in paying it forward – quietly, consistently, together.

What You Can Do:

• Keep showing up. Every plate counts. Every lunch matters. Help us reach our 2026 target of £10,000.00
• Encourage your Chair to take a photo. Post it to the Chairs group. Let the network know you’re part of it. Don’t be ‘that branch’ that doesn’t engage.
• Fund Raise. Raise your voice alongside ours.
• Nominate us. If your company needs a charity partner for a pitch or sponsorship, consider Kidney Care UK.
• Talk about Gina. Her story is our story – and one we’re proud to share.

Because at the heart of this isn’t an organisation. It’s a person. A team. A table full of people who care.

And sometimes, it only takes 50p per plate of food to change someone’s world.