Coins That Care - Moving to the Euro

The arrival of the Euro in 12 countries on 1st January 2002 provided a great opportunity for old currency to be donated to social causes.

An innovative partnership between BP and the Red Cross was set up to channel all the funds gathered by the ‘Coins that Care’ campaign back into local Red Cross programmes. The programme coincided with the changeover to the Euro and gave people across Europe the opportunity to donate their old coins to charity.

Apart from creating the partnership and working through the finer elements of the programme, BP provided collection boxes in BP retail stations across 9 countries.

With other partners such as Deutsche Bank and Air France, 18 countries participated in the initiative and a total of more 800 tons of coins worth approximately 20 million euro (about $20 million) were collected. BP employee donations – more than $10,000 will be matched by the BP Foundation. The coins are now being sorted, counted and then will be returned to their countries of origin where they will be made available for local social projects.