The Reed Group was founded on the idea that commercial success and social contribution should go hand in hand. As a philanthropic company, or PhilCo, 18% of Reed’s shares are held for charitable causes, ensuring that giving remains a permanent and practical part of the business.
That principle sits behind the work of the Reed Foundation. In 2024–25, to mark both Reed’s 65th year in business and the late Sir Alec Reed’s 90th birthday, the Foundation committed to donating £10,000 each week for a year to charities chosen by Reed employees. By April 2025, that commitment had resulted in £520,000 being donated to 52 causes, ranging from national organisations to charities with deep local roots.
One of those donations went to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home - a charity with a long history in the region and a mission close to home for a colleague based in Manchester.
A charity chosen with care
Each week, a randomly selected Reed employee was invited to choose a charity to receive the donation. For Lucas Bird, a Recruitment Specialist based in Reed’s Manchester office, that choice reflected both his connection to the area and what mattered most to him personally.
Founded in 1893, Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home has been caring for and rehoming stray and unwanted dogs across the region for more than 130 years. Today, the charity operates two shelters and cares for over 3,000 dogs every year, providing rehoming, neutering, microchipping, veterinary treatment and end‑of‑life care.
“As a dog owner myself, I wanted to pick a charity that makes a real, tangible difference,” Lucas explained. “Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home has been part of the community for generations. They offer care, shelter and a second chance to thousands of dogs that would otherwise have nowhere to go.”
He added: “It’s easy to forget how many animals are out there waiting for a home. I hope this donation helps a few more dogs find the loving families they deserve.”
Making a difference on the ground
Like many animal charities, Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home relies heavily on public donations and community support to continue its work. Veterinary care alone represents a significant cost, with hundreds of dogs requiring treatment each year before they are ready to be rehomed.
Anna Stansfield, CEO of Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home, welcomed the donation and highlighted its practical impact.
“Our veterinary fees across both homes last year cost over £300,000 of donated money,” she said. “Support like this helps strays coming into our care get on the road to recovery, ready for adoption. We’re incredibly grateful to the Reed Foundation and to Lucas for choosing to support us.”
Across the year‑long programme, many of the Reed Foundation’s donations followed a similar pattern: charities selected because they mattered personally to the people who nominated them, and because they played an important role in their local communities.
For Lucas, the opportunity to direct the donation was about helping an organisation that quietly does vital work every day.
“These dogs aren’t just statistics,” he said. “They’re animals that need time, care and love. If this donation helps even a handful of them start a better chapter, then it’s made a real difference.”
If you’re looking to hire your next team member in Manchester, or looking for your next role in the area, get in touch with one of our local specialist recruitment experts, today.
