The man who made his fortune after starting out selling trainers from the back of a van is said to have coined the phrase “venture philanthropy” – used to describe how his investment could help to lever in further cash to help good causes. And he has a long history of supporting good causes, with the Hunter Foundation, which he established in 1998 having so far donated in excess of £55 million – with the ambition of investing a “good deal more”. Children In Need is among the organisations supported – with the charitable foundation having pledged it will match the cash – up to £3 million – raised by Paddy McGuinness during his five-day, charity ride on a Raleigh Chopper bike, which will take the TV personality and BBC Radio 2 presenter from Wales to Scotland.
This builds on previous support for Children In Need, the annual fundraiser staged by the BBC to raise money to help vulnerable youngsters at home and overseas – but the Hunter Foundation has also given money to help a range of other causes. His efforts were recognised when, in 2005, he was “very chuffed” to be knighted for services to entrepreneurship and philanthropy. That was followed by him being awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2013 – with the award given to those who have a “sustainable track record of giving” and who have “made a significant impact”.
Despite voting Labour in the 2024 general election, it was Sir Tom who paid for a private jet to fly home the body of .