MERKUR’s Donation Breathes New Life into Local Gardens and Homeless Support

_{Urban Roots received a £2,000 donation from MERKUR Casino. (Image: MERKUR Casino)}

MERKUR Casino UK has made a £2,000 contribution to Urban Roots, a Glasgow‑based environmental health charity, under its MERKUR Community programme.  

Urban Roots, established in 2004, works in deprived areas and among socially excluded groups to promote sustainable living, biodiversity, conservation, and community gardening. The organisation manages 10 community gardens and oversees a 14-hectare urban woodland and wetland site.   The latest funds will support the rebuilding and expansion of the Polmadie Plots garden, created with local volunteers to foster a space for green activity and community engagement.  

Selina Boyack of Urban Roots said:

“This funding from MERKUR means we can repair and rebuild our community growing garden, Polmadie Plots. Our volunteers will build this garden in our regular weekly gardening sessions.”  

She added that these sessions “are an essential part of the local community, offering a place for environmental protection, education, community cohesion, recovery and wellbeing for a diverse group of people.”  

Launched in January 2024, MERKUR’s Community programme is designed to support nonprofits, clubs, and causes in regions where MERKUR operates.   According to the company, the scheme has distributed £291,541.54 across more than 130 groups to date.  

Mark Schertle, COO of MERKUR Casino UK, commented:

“Urban Roots’ commitment to inclusivity, environmental regeneration and community health aligns perfectly with our values at MERKUR. Through our MERKUR Community Programme we aim to build meaningful partnerships with organisations to improve local communities, and Urban Roots embodies this aim perfectly.”  

Secondary donation: Gillingham Street Angels

In another recent move, MERKUR donated £2,000 to Gillingham Street Angels, a Kent‑based charity addressing homelessness, food poverty and health inequality.   Founded in 2018, the charity offers support across a range of needs, combining immediate relief with efforts to promote mental, social and emotional wellbeing.   The grant will be used to upgrade its resource centre, creating a more welcoming and functional space.  

Tracey Errington, operations manager at Street Angels, said:

“We cannot thank MERKUR enough for choosing to support us with the funds to improve our new community resource centre. We are extremely proud of the services and support that we offer from the centre and these additions will make it a more comfortable and welcoming experience for all those who use it.”  

According to MERKUR, this donation forms part of the same Community programme. The company states that, to date, it has given £287,514.75 to support over 120 groups nationwide.   Mark Schertle added that Street Angels “make a genuine difference” and that they “perfectly align with our values of social responsibility and building communities.”  

Merkur's Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Address Social Needs

MERKUR’s funding is part of a broader drive within the gambling industry to project social responsibility and community engagement. The contributions to Glasgow and Kent help address local needs, from green space revitalisation to homelessness support, reinforcing a narrative that the company is more than just a gaming and slots operator.