Volunteering with v

v is a registered charity that has been set up to inspire a new generation of 16 – 25 year olds to get involved in volunteering and community action.

Their aim is to create a culture where it is natural for young people to volunteer, and natural for organisations to support them in doing so, because the benefits of volunteering are widely understood and celebrated.

Through v's Match Fund (which aims to inspire more investment in youth volunteering from private companies, charitable trusts and foundations and wealthy individuals), the HBOS Foundation was encouraged to donate money raised from the 2007 Million £ Challenge programme to support RNLI volunteer lifeguards. 

In turn, v has provided match funding of £180,000 over 2007-8 to support the initiative, enabling the RNLI to continue saving lives at sea. It is hoped that the partnership will continue to support RNLI lifeguard volunteers in 2009.