Page 13 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • May 2012 13
Asda puts new focus on the community Freshbrook seniors need

In a new initiative to champion community life and help raise funds for local causes, shoppers at Asda 15 minutes a week
in West Swindon and Asda Walmart at the North Swindon District Centre, are being invited to nominate Freshbrook Over 50s Bingo Club is
the local charities they would like the supermarket giant to support. desperate for volunteers to come
to Freshbrook Community Centre
After every transaction custom- before their session on Tuesdays
ers are given a token - or two if at 1.30pm to unfold tables and put
they’ve brought their own shopping out chairs for members.
bags - which they then place in Organiser Mo Walsh says club
one of three bins to indicate which members are getting on and her
charity they would most like to regular help is in his 80s and needs
see receive a donation from the some help. “It should take about
superstore chain. 15 minutes to set the hall up and
West Swindon Asda community there could be a rota of people.
coordinator Jan Kilby explained If we can’t find anybody we might
how the new initiative works. have to close.”
“Community Life is as much about To help out call Mo on 01793
getting staff involved as fundrais- 872339.
ing. After two months the group
with the most tokens will receive never used. The token system has
£200, whilst the runners up will each prompted people to leave their
receive £50. Or we will pledge Asda ideas, and our new community
staff time and materials to carry information notice board is work-
out a project, such as decorating ing really well letting people know
or gardening. what’s going on in the local area.”
“There are leaflets on the com- Asda Walmart is also helping
munity life stand inviting nomina- North Swindon groups with meet-
tions of groups that could benefit ing space, as Yvonne explained:
from the scheme so we really need “We know how expensive it can Devizes Rd,
customers to tell us who they think be for groups to rent space so we’re Old Town,
is worthy of help.” offering our staff meeting rooms
Swindon SN1 4BG
Above, Justin Tomlinson with Elaine Quinn of NSPCC, Lucy Young of CALM and
Andria Vigoroue of BATS (Opposite the Arts Centre)
Below, Robert Buckland with Asda general manager Sarah Pillinger and community
coordinator Jan Kilby, and Kim West of Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group and Denis 01793 613000
Mackie of Toothill Junior Youth Club. Photos: Richard Wintle, www.calyxpix.com
www.harmonybrides.co.uk

Ask Peter BAsk Peter BAsk Peter B

Advice for small businesses from
Peter Bromiley ACA,
Technical Director
at AMS Accountancy Ltd.

Q: Can I pay my wife “wages” to save tax?

A: Business owners often pay their spouse a salary up to
the Personal Allowance limit (£8,105 in 2012/13). Then
the business saves tax (at 20% or 40% if you are paying
At Asda Walmart in North for community use free of charge.” higher rate tax) on the salary but the spouse (if no other
Swindon the first three charities At the launch on 26 March North income), will not pay tax on the salary. So, a salary of
are NSPCC, Swindon Cancer & Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson ex- £7,000 can save tax of £1,400.
Leukaemia Movement (CALM) and pressed his enthusiasm for Asda’s

Swindon BATS sports and social new focus. “This is a fantastic However - the wages must be earned. They must be
club for the visually impaired. initiative to engage with the lo- appropriate for the contribution to the business – or
Shoppers at West Swindon can cal community. It gives charities some/all of the wages cannot be deducted against the
help Swindon Down’s Syndrome an excellent opportunity to share business profits. So, if your wife works 5 hours per week,
Group, West Swindon Family Cen- their work with a huge number then the pay should reflect this.
tre and Toothill Junior Youth Club. of people.”
Kim West, treasurer of Swindon At West Swindon Asda, South The wages should be actually paid over as they are
Down’s Syndrome Group said: Swindon MP Robert Buckland earned, ideally, via a payroll and a contract of
“It’s a fantastic simple idea to let was equally supportive of the employment or job offer letter. If they are “paid” as an
shoppers support local groups. It’s company’s effort to help at a local annual bookkeeping entry, it looks like after-the-event
a direct way to help.” level. He said: “I meet frequently tax planning rather than real wages.
Community Life Champion at with different local charities and am
Asda Walmart Yvonne Bidwell lucky to see the work that they do. Looking for a good accountant? Then speak to us.
said: “The customers love this sys- I’m delighted that they now have a
tem, it has already brought a huge new way to promote their activities AMS Accountancy Ltd Swindon
improvement in how people share more widely and hopefully gain
and respond to information. more volunteers and donations to T: 01793 818400
“We had suggestion boards in sustain their important contribution W: www.ams-accountancy.co.uk
store for a long time but it was to community life.”

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