Media
Very’s charity ball raises £110,000 for the National Literacy Trust
July 11, 2025
The Very Group, which operates digital retailers Very and Littlewoods, has raised £110,000 for the National Literacy Trust at its charity ball held at the ACC Liverpool.
Research reveals almost 40% of children in Liverpool started primary school last year without the skills they needed to learn to read and write, and the money raised at the event will support the National Literacy Trust in continuing to empower children in Liverpool and the Midlands to develop the literacy skills they need to succeed in life.
The retailer’s black-tie charity ball, hosted by Stacey Dooley on Thursday 3rd July, saw more than 700 guests enjoy dinner and performances from a star-studded line-up comprising of Matt Goss, Jamelia and Marvin Humes. Guests were also invited to bid to win a selection of coveted prizes and experiences, including VIP hospitality tickets to JLS at The O2 and private corporate box hospitality at The Emirates and Anfield
Proceeds from the ball takes the total amount raised by The Very Group in the first three months of the three-year partnership to £135,000. As well as the ball, colleagues from across the business have undertaken a range of fundraising activities, including marathons, a 260-mile bike ride and bake sales.
Robbie Feather, Group CEO at The Very Group, said: “The charity ball was our first big fundraising event for the National Literacy Trust, and it was a fantastic evening. I’d like to thank our sponsors and guests for their generous support, which will make a real difference in children’s lives.
“Our purpose is to help families get more out of life and that’s exactly what this partnership with the National Literacy Trust does. Over the course of the next three years, the valuable funds raised by The Very Group will be used to help the charity support families, and the amount raised at the ball is a considerable step towards our £450,000 fundraising target.”
Jonathan Douglas CBE, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, commented: “Literacy changes everything right from the very start. A child’s early grasp on language and first steps to build communication skills will set them up for life. With the generous support of The Very Group, we are able to support families in Liverpool and the Midlands empowering them to develop their children’s reading, writing, speaking and listening skills that they need to thrive.
“The Very Group’s charity ball was an incredible evening and a fantastic way to kick-start fundraising. I want to take this opportunity to thank colleagues from across The Very Group, it’s suppliers and the sponsors of the event for their generosity and ongoing support.”
The Very Group has a long history of supporting charities, having raised more than £2 million for its partners over the last 10 years. Previous partners include Coram Beanstalk, The Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool and The Booth Centre in Manchester, which both support people affected by homelessness, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Claire House Children’s Hospice in Wirral.
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Media relations
Claire Newmarch | [email protected]
Notes to editors
About The Very Group
With annual revenue of over £2bn, The Very Group is a unique digital business that combines online retail and flexible payments. Our digital retail brands, Very and Littlewoods, help to bring over 2,000 desirable labels within easy reach of more customers.
Across electrical, home, fashion and more, we sell everything our 4.3 million customers could need, except food. And our flexible payment options, which are provided responsibly via our Very Pay platform and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, help our customers manage their household budgets.
We have over a hundred years of history behind us, but at our heart there is a passion for change – to constantly improve what we do, to innovate with data and technology at our core and to be the best possible place to work.
For more information, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that empowers children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills give you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. For over 30 years the National Literacy Trust has continued to support schools, families and communities on a local and national level to help people change their stories.
