Charities enter the city’s own Dragons’ Den
THE CITY’S very own version of Dragons’ Den takes place today, with charities pitching to a tough crowd to win fundraising backing.
In this case the “dragons” are Morgan Stanley’s 5,000-plus employees, who have been invited to choose which charity they will support for the next two years.
The shortlist is Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Centre Point, CLIC Sargent and Save the Children – all child health and education causes.
GOSH fundraising director Neal Donnelly said the charity was “thrilled” to be in the running, as it wants to build accommodation for parents of children in intensive care, and other wards.
Morgan Stanley spokeswoman Emma Tamblingson said: “There’s a big buzz about it. The auditoriums hold about 200 and, for anyone who’s on the desks and can’t make it, there will be a filmed version.
“The charities make their pitch and then come in and talk to staff before the online voting ends on Friday. Then we announce the result next Tuesday.”
Previous winners include The Prince’s Trust, Kids Company and GOSH, with Morgan Stanley raising £1.5m, £1.6m and £11.5m respectively for a trio of buildings.
Though wooing a crowd of financiers might sound nerve-wracking, “bankers’ den” is in some ways easier than the TV version. “We walk everyone through the process first,” said Tamblingson. “We help them so everyone has a fair chance.”