Bakery chain Greggs has partnered with Virgin Media O2 to give away free mobile data to low income families in the midst of the current cost-of-living crisis.
Facilitated by the Greggs Hardship Fund, the new scheme will see free O2 sim cards and voucher codes given out to families via schools throughout the UK.
Eligible recipients will be benefit from 15GB of free data from the mobile and broadband provider, three times the average used by the typical mobile phone user in the UK, according to industry regulator Ofcom.
The new ‘food bank for data’ scheme will hope to get up to 255,000 people connected by the end of 2023, with trial locations already set up across schools in Scotland, the North East, South East and the Midlands.
READ MORE: 9 in 10 consumers are happy to shop second hand, Virgin Media O2 reveals
“We’re proud to see the National Databank go from strength to strength, providing free mobile data to people who need it,” Virgin Media O2 chief communications and corporate affairs officer, Nicola Green said.
“We’re delighted to welcome the Greggs Foundation, so we can support more families across the UK and help connect the disconnected.”
“Our support of the National Databank forms part of our new Better Connections Plan, where we’re using our purpose, people, and products to power a better, more connected, and greener future for our customers and communities nationwide.”
Greggs Foundation manager, Tracy Lynch, added: “At Greggs we understand many people struggle to make ends meet and when unexpected costs arise, many can suddenly find themselves in very difficult circumstances.”
“With the Hardship Fund, we are able to offer a helping hand to people who need it most. By joining the National Databank we are now able to provide further essential support to those facing hardship.”
Click here to sign up to Marketing Beat’s free daily email newsletter
