DK raises £12k for Room to Read on first 'Giving Day'

DK raised £12,000 for Room to Read on its first "Giving Day" on Wednesday 23rd October, when more than 750 colleagues took part in events "designed to give back". The new scheme coincides with the launch of DK’s new impact and inclusion strategy and DK’s 50th anniversary. 

In London, staff participated in a globally synchronised “DK Walks the World” event, in which participants painted the streets of Westminster red. This was a global relay walk in support of Room to Read, starting in Beijing and passing through Jiangmen, Delhi, Barcelona, Munich, London, Madrid, Oviedo, Dublin, New York City, Indianapolis, and finishing in Portland. The relay raised more than £12,000 for Room to Read, including a company donation.

Elsewhere, in New York, colleagues spent the morning making mesh bags for food charity City Harvest. The Indianapolis team volunteered at Gals’ Guide Library, and colleagues in Delhi headed to the Sunder Nursery for a walk with a bake sale, trinket stalls and more.

The publisher’s expanded impact and inclusion strategy takes a new holistic approach and integrates DE&I initiatives with charity and community outreach.

DK c.e.o. Paul Kelly also announced the promotion of Lisa Gillespie to head of inclusion and impact. Gillespie’s expanded role will oversee this new holistic approach, working alongside Nicola Torode, who leads compliance and sustainability.

Kelly said: “DK Giving Day is more than just a celebration; it’s a testament to our ability to create meaningful change in the world around us. Uniting all global DK staff to support an important global charity like Room to Read is a step towards creating a more inclusive future for children everywhere, and I’m incredibly proud of our colleagues’ enthusiasm. With our new impact and inclusion strategy firmly in place and being led by Lisa, I am excited to see what we can achieve.”