Venture Forge is proud to be supporting The Light Fund as our Charity of the Year for 2026.
Throughout the year, we will be backing The Light Fund through structured fundraising activity, participation in community events, and ongoing engagement with partners and supporters. This is a long-term commitment to support a charity delivering practical, high-impact projects for people and communities in need.
Our partnership is built on consistent involvement, measurable contribution, and visible action, not one-off campaigns.
Why We’re Supporting The Light Fund
The Light Fund is a charity founded by members of the UK licensing industry to fund worthwhile projects that support children, women and men.
Since 2004, the charity has raised over £2.6 million, supporting more than 200 charities and good causes. In 2025 alone, it raised £282,000 and supported 51 organisations, funding projects including neonatal equipment, cancer support services, mental health helplines, emergency disaster relief, and community programmes that protect and empower young people.
As a business working closely with brands operating in and around the licensing ecosystem, supporting The Light Fund is a natural fit for Venture Forge and reflects our wider commitment to responsible, long-term partnership.
Our Charity Partnership in 2026
Our Charity of the Year partnership is structured around consistent activity and clear outcomes.
Across 2026, this will include:
- Leadership-led and team-led fundraising challenges
- Participation in The Light Fund’s community and events
- Partner and community involvement through prizes, donations, and shared initiatives
- Regular progress updates on funds raised and activity delivered
We will share updates throughout the year to ensure transparency, momentum, and accountability.
Our First Fundraiser: Mount Toubkal
Our partnership launched in February with our first completed fundraising challenge.
Venture Forge’s CEO Andy Banks completed the Mount Toubkal climb, the highest peak in North Africa, raising funds for The Light Fund and marking the start of our 2026 fundraising programme.
The climb is a demanding physical and mental challenge, with altitude, cold temperatures, and steep terrain presenting significant difficulty. It provided a strong and credible way to launch our partnership with meaningful action from day one.
This first fundraiser set the tone for how we intend to approach our charity partnership: with commitment, visibility, and follow-through.
Latest Partnership Update
Andy’s successful completion of the Mount Toubkal climb marked the first official milestone in our Charity of the Year programme.
This initial fundraiser raised both funds and awareness for The Light Fund and established the foundation for our year-long programme of activity.
We will continue to share updates on fundraising progress, upcoming initiatives, and wider team involvement throughout 2026.
How You Can Support The Light Fund
If this partnership resonates, you can support The Light Fund by contributing to our fundraising programme, amplifying the initiative within your network, or connecting with us at Light Fund events across 2026. Industry-wide awareness and participation are critical to sustaining long-term impact, and we welcome collaboration from partners and peers who share that commitment.
Looking Ahead
Andy’s climb marked the start of our partnership and throughout 2026, Venture Forge will continue to support The Light Fund through planned fundraising activity, community engagement, and partner collaboration.
We look forward to building sustained momentum behind the charity and contributing to meaningful, long-term impact.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our partnership so far. We will continue to share updates as the year progresses.