Body Shop Foundation in Bognor to close

Charity The Body Shop Foundation - which has donated millions to good causes around the world in its 27 years - is to close next year.
The late Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop, also set up the Foundation to help good causesThe late Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop, also set up the Foundation to help good causes
The late Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop, also set up the Foundation to help good causes

It will close in early 2017 after discussions with The Body Shop International did not ‘result in a shared vision for its future’, the Foundation said in a statement on its website.

The Body Shop was sold to L’Oreal in 2006 for £652.3m.

Making the ‘incredibly sad’ announcement, the charity, based in Castlegrove Business Park in Durban Road, bognor Regis, said: “We’ve seen huge success from the impact of our funding but we’ve also faced challenges, seen the business change hands and lost a beloved mentor.

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“Over the years, the charity has been primarily funded by The Body Shop International and we worked side by side on a shared set of values to make the world a better place.

“Unfortunately, despite our history and impact our lengthy conversations with the current management of The Body Shop have not resulted in a shared vision for the independent future of the Foundation.

“A committed funding stream has not been agreed, nor has a fundraising product been put in place for us in 2017.

“This means that Foundation is now unsustainable as the independent organisation that our founders envisaged.”

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The Foundation was set up by the late Anita Roddick and husband Gordon completely independent of The Body Shop International so ‘that it could support those that the company could not’, the statement said.

“Over our 27 years, with over £24 million donated and invested, we’re incredibly proud to have found and funded some of the world’s most progressive organisations working for positive social and environmental change,” the Foundation said.

“Our funding focus – deliberately flexible – allowed us to be nimble and quick, funding cutting edge, dynamic and undercover work on issues relevant and current to us all.”

The Foundation added: “So it’s time to move on. We’ve loved every second of this crazy ride – we’ve cried, laughed and rejoiced over the stories and achievements of the groups that we’ve supported.

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“We’ve met the most remarkable people who have championed, fundraised and volunteered for us along the way.

“We want to thank each and every person who has joined us for some – or all – of our journey. You are truly quite remarkable.”

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