Hampstead millionaire calls on people to give more
A multi-millionaire philanthropist has launched a project to nudge and cajole people into coughing up a little more for good causes.
Trevor Pears spent the first years of his career helping to swell the coffers of his family’s billion pound property firm, which owns the Coronet Cinema in Notting Hill and Coutts Bank building in The Strand.
But in his late 30s the Hampstead businessman slowly peeled off his blinkers and set to work becoming a full-time philanthropist.
With a hand in everything from the refurbishment of the Marie Cure Hospice to helping fund Henderson Court elderly centre, Mr Pears has backed almost every Hampstead cause going.
Now the 48-year-old is appealing to the public to pledge time, money and energy to any local cause they see fit.
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The scheme is the culmination of 12 years of head-scratching for Mr Pears, which has forced the married father-of-three to step gingerly into the public limelight to appeal to people’s sense of giving. He said: “It got to the point where you have enough money and there could, and should be, other priorities. It’s not unusual for people in their late 30s early 40s to think about it. I felt like I lived in the world with blinkers, focused on family business and I took those blinkers off and there is a big world out there.”
His Give More Campaign is a rallying call for people to make a public commitment to a cause they feel passionate about and meet an immediate need for help.
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Almost 10,000 people up and down the country – including Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and comedian Ruby Wax – have pledged to donate time or money to their chosen charities.
The campaign does not demand money but relies on trust and acts as a “gentle reminder” to people to fulfil their promises.
Mr Pears, who admits to sometimes feeling like a “chugger” charity fundraiser, said: “Whatever we are currently doing, if we can do a bit more, please just join in. It’s not more complicated than that. It’s the most simple thing, we’re not asking for money, it’s a celebration of commitment.
“We have found that by coming together it reinforces the message that all of us do care.”
Mr Pears was speaking at a Hampstead Business Hub meeting, organised by Melissa Vangeen of Solomon Taylor & Shaw and Luke Thompson of RA Savage and Co.
n For more information visit www.givemore.org.uk
