Last week, RSPCA Hull & East Riding proudly took part in Hull Business Week 2025, engaging with hundreds of business and civic leaders across a packed programme of events. As a local charity rooted in history and driven by innovation, we understand that working with businesses is key to delivering long-term impact — for animals, people, and communities alike.
From sponsoring kennel blocks to team volunteering days, from end-of-line stock donations to in-kind support and project partnerships — businesses have so many ways to make a difference. Whether it’s selecting RSPCA Hull & East Riding as your Charity of the Year, hosting an in-office collection tin, or inviting us to deliver animal welfare education to staff and their families, there are countless opportunities to align your values with meaningful community impact.
Monday: Future Humber Bondholder Breakfast – “But First, Humber”
The week began at the MKM Stadium with a powerful and inspiring start. Our CEO, Fred Owen, joined remarkable local changemakers including Azaria Murray, Sophie Bartup, Stephen Logan, and Ruth Lyttle, each reflecting on the Humber’s potential and people. Fred shared the story of RSPCA’s foundation by William Wilberforce and how we continue that legacy today — giving cats and dogs a better life and supporting pet owners through education, outreach, and care. The event reflected the Future Humber values: Revolutionary, Resourceful, Real, and Remarkable — values we aim to live by every day.
Tuesday: Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
At #HHCExpo25, our team (Fred, Shelly Bennett, and Matt Wright) represented the charity as exhibitors, speaking with business representatives about how they can get involved. Whether through fundraising challenges, volunteering, or co-creating projects that support people and pets, we had some fantastic conversations about how business can be a force for good.
Wednesday: VCSE Showcase with HEY Smile Foundation
Hosted at The Beverley Barn, this showcase celebrated the voluntary sector’s role in community wellbeing. We were proud to stand alongside fellow charities and community groups, highlighting the essential work being done in the East Riding — and showing how partnership with the business sector can amplify reach, increase resilience, and transform lives.
Thursday: University of Hull Business Week Dinner
Closing the week for us with a theme of AI and the Future of Work, this dinner brought together leaders from across sectors. We engaged with contacts from education, tech, and industry to explore how digital innovation can support animal welfare and improve service delivery. Speakers Professor Kevin Pimbblet and Dan Sodegren inspired thought-provoking discussions about future trends and how charities like ours must adapt and collaborate.
Let’s Work Together
Hull Business Week gave us a fantastic platform to share our mission and connect with businesses ready to make a difference. Whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, donating goods or services, or choosing us as your Charity of the Year — local businesses are already stepping up, and we’d love to welcome more.
It’s already happening:
- PowAir are our newest Kennel Sponsors, helping us care for and rehome rescue animals. They also kindly donated air fresheners and promo goodies for our sites — a big hit with the team (and our noses!).
- Oliver from Hilton Exterior Cleaning offered his services completely free — jet-washing our Clough Road site to get it sparkling for our One Funday open day.
- Kelly and Charlotte from the John Good Group each donated £500 through their Champion Grant scheme, totalling £1,000 to support our branch. They also brought food and supplies and came to meet some of the spaniels we rescued — a heartfelt moment for all.
- KCOM continue to support us through Team Volunteer Days, getting stuck in on site and behind the scenes. Read more.
- And retail outlets across Hull are proudly displaying our collection boxes — helping raise vital funds every day.
If you’d like to explore how your business can get involved, visit rspcahull.org.uk/supporting-us/sponsoring or contact our Head of Operations, Matt Wright, at matt.wright@rspcahull.org.uk.
Together, we can build a region where every animal lives a life free from cruelty and full of care.
