Newcastle opens the way for charity donations with prepaid cards

Newcastle Building Society, together with M-Cube Media, reports the great success in setting up their latest joint venture - The Aspinall Foundation Prepaid Maestro card - a card that will raise essential funds for the conservation of western lowland gorillas.

The Aspinall Foundation Prepaid Maestro card is one of the first prepaid card programmes in the UK to reward cardholder loyalty by donating a set percentage of profits to a defined charity.

Accepted in more than 6.4 million locations throughout the UK and Europe, 50% of all profits generated each time the card is used are donated to support the work of the charity in the UK and Africa to conserve these critically endangered gorillas.

Following the success of this card programme after just three months from its launch, the potential for future charity card programmes seems undeniable. With such high percentages of profit being donated directly to the charity, prepaid cards can offer a real opportunity to raise funds for many worthwhile causes in the future.

Kriya Patel, Head of Card Solutions at Newcastle Building Society commented; "We were delighted to be able to work with M-Cube on this very exciting prepaid card offering. With significant take up already of these cards, there is no denying that there is an appetite among charity supporters for similar programmes going forward."

Mr. Mashallah H.M.Ali, Chief Executive of M-Cube, commented; "We've already rolled back the boundaries of the UK prepaid market with the launch of the Aspinall Foundation Prepaid Maestro Card; one of the first programme of its kind in the UK to directly reward cardholder loyalty by delivering additional income to a charity dedicated to conserving endangered species."

Bob O'Connor, Managing Director of The Aspinall Foundation commented; "Working hand in hand with M-Cube we're now able to offer this innovative and exciting product to everyone who truly cares about animals; enabling them to make a vital contribution to the protection of wildlife worldwide whilst enjoying the peace mind which comes with using a safe and secure spending card."