Speaking at a reception held at 11 Downing Street last night, at which the former Printers' Charitable Corporation was officially re-launched with its new identity, president Michael Johnson urged print businesses to both connect with it and do more to support its efforts.

"Why should printers link with us? Because it is your charity," he said. "We have a change of name but not a change of nature and we will continue to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves by providing a safety net for vulnerable people and their families."

The new strategic direction, established over the past 18 months, has already resulted in a big increase in the amount of assistance provided, and over the next decade TPC intends to achieve a four-fold increase in the number of people it assists, from more than 500 to 2,000.

Johnson also revealed that, although the charity generates income from its substantial assets, it received donations of just £6,000 last year. It is taking action to increase this figure by growing its number of corporate supporters and donors.

The event was attended by a broad spread of representatives from the industry and allied businesses, including equipment suppliers, publishers and education providers.

See this Friday's issue of PrintWeek for an article by TPC chief executive Stephen Gilbert about the charity's work.