The BT Tower became a philanthropic beacon on Valentine’s Day with the ‘pre-launch’ of the Give More campaign.

Broadcaster and NSPCC Trustee Esther Rantzen pushed the button that saw the BT Tower light up with the Give More logo and the message for people “to give more time, money and energy” to good causes this year in a bid to get us all talking about giving.

The campaign is funded by Pears Foundation with support from a number of individuals and other organisations including BT, and is a product of The Philanthropy Review held last year. It is being chaired by Trevor Pears CMG, executive chair of Pears Foundation, and supported by a steering group from across the sectors.

Pears said of the ‘democratic’ campaign that “the challenge is to see if we can persuade those who are already committed to helping their communities to go the extra mile.”

Pears said times were challenging – need is up and resources are down – and he called for people to “rediscover the war-time spirit” and "pull together".

The cornerstone of the campaign is the Give More website where people can make pledges to give more and more than 350 have already been made. It allows pledgees to share why they are giving more and add their voice to the campaign.

The event at London’s The Imagination Gallery also heard from individuals and organisations are supporting the campaign:

• Martyn Lewis, former BBC and ITN anchorman and chair of NCVO
• Esther Ranzen, CBE, journalist, broadcaster and Trustee of NSPCC
• Patricia Hewitt, non-executive director, BT
• June Ross-Wildman, founder, Esther Community Enterprise.

Find out more at www.givemore.org.uk.