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How to give it
By Ronel Lehmann
Interview by Angus Watson
Ronel Lehmann, 44, founded the City of London-based marketing communications agency Lehmann Communications in 1988. He is chairman of a capital appeal for Demelza, a hospice for children in Kent. The charity plans to open a new branch soon in south London. (www.demelzahouse.org)
What is the first charity you can remember supporting?
My school, City of London School, had an annual charity appeal, and I was voted chairman. I arranged various other activities and raised £13,400 – a huge sum at the time and more than double any previous year’s total. It was a great experience. I learnt the importance of tenacity when you’re fundraising and had to address all my schoolmates several times that year to rouse them into action. That was terrifying and the best training I’ve ever had in public speaking.
Which cause do you feel most passionately about?
Demelza. I got involved after a consultant approached me in 2004, and I’m now hooked. It’s very sad how many parents need help when their child has a life-limiting illness. Demelza was set up by Derek and Jennifer Phillips in 1998, in memory of their daughter Demelza, who herself worked at a children’s hospice in Birmingham and died in 1990 from a brain tumour, aged 24. It now provides hospice care for more than 450 children with life-limiting illnesses, and their families. We launched the capital campaign a couple of years ago, to raise £6.5m for the new south London hospice. We’ve gained extraordinary support, and, government checks pending, will open in the spring.
Are you an impulse giver or do you only make planned donations?
I’m a great believer in planning to get the best result.
Should employees receive bonus days off to perform charitable works?
Ask my staff, and I’m sure they’ll say yes. If there’s a good case, I’d agree, but I think it should match funding, and people should balance their corporate and personal charitable activities.
What do you get out of your giving?
The knowledge that I have the ability to help others. Also, even on the worst day of your life, it’s levelling to know that others are not as lucky as yourself. When something goes wrong, thinking about a charity that you’re involved with, and the people it helps, puts things in perspective.
How will the recession affect fundraising?
These are turbulent time for charities. People will still give but charities will have to work harder to get a slice of the cake, to maintain supporters, and recruit new ones.
Have you ever regretted supporting a charity?
No
Interview by Angus Watson
howtogiveit@ft.com
March 2009