Reducing telecommunication costs one charity at a time
Core Telecom, a telecommunication company based in Leeds, has been making waves with its innovative initiative to aid charitable organisations, housing associations and non-profit organisations across the United Kingdom. This initiative, which began four years ago, offers free 03 numbers and waives incoming call costs for these entities, significantly reducing their telecommunication expenses.
The seeds of this endeavour were sown in 2016 when Mahmood Mazhar, the CEO of Core Telecom, donated a ‘Sunshine Coach’ worth £20,000 to The Forest School in Knaresborough. This school, catering to children with learning difficulties, benefited a lot from the coach, which facilitated educational field trips and broadened the students’ horizons beyond the classroom. Mahmood’s act of kindness sparked a realisation: there were more ways to support the community he lived in.
Understanding that many charitable organisations spend substantial amounts on telecommunications, he saw an opportunity to help these groups save money, which could then be redirected to their core missions. By the early 2020s, he launched the initiative to donate free 03 numbers to charitable organisations and waive their incoming call costs. Initially met with scepticism, the program gradually gained trust as charities recognised the genuine intent behind the offer.
Today, Core Telecom’s initiative supports over 500 charitable organisations, including prominent names like Mind, Breast Cancer Now, We’re Muir, P.A. Housing, Bernicia Homes and Anxiety UK. Stephen Buckley of Mind expressed gratitude, stating, “Core Telecom has been a huge help to Mind and our Support Line service. We are always looking for ways we can make our supporters’ money go further, and so having a telecom partner able to offer us pro-bono support with our day-to-day running costs is incredible.”
Core Telecom, under the leadership of Mahmood Mazhar, significantly expanded its philanthropic footprint in 2023 and 2024. In early 2023, he made a generous £10,000 donation to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal fund. While in early 2024, the company proudly announced Wakefield Hospice as its Charity of the Year (2023), solidifying its dedication to community welfare. But the cornerstone of this commitment was a substantial two-year headline sponsorship of the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards. By contributing £10,000 each year, the company celebrated the extraordinary bravery and achievements of young people in the region.
CEO, Mahmood Mazhar pictured with Late Legend Rob Burrow’s children, Maya, Jackson, and Macy Burrow (from right to left) at the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards (2023).
The CEO’s dedication to charitable causes did not go unnoticed. In 2024, the company was a finalist at the Yorkshire Choice Awards for the Charitable Business of the Year. This recognition underscores the substantial impact of their work and the positive change they are implementing within the community.
When asked about future plans, Core Telecom swiftly answered that their mission is to extend their support to every charitable organisation, housing association, and non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom. By providing free 03 numbers, they aim to ensure that charities can focus their funds on making a difference rather than on telecommunication expenses.
As the company moves forward with its mission, it reaffirms the belief that strategic philanthropy can indeed change lives and create lasting positive change.
If there is any charitable organisation looking to reduce their telecommunication costs, contact Core Telecom at: charities@coretelecom.co.uk or 0330 111 0033
