Deloitte donation helps Just One More campaign to succeed

CURE Leukaemia can fund the life saving work of Just One More specialist research nurse after a donation from accountancy firm Deloitte in Birmingham propelled the total raised during international Blood Cancer Awareness Month past the £50,000 mark.

The Birmingham-based blood cancer charity launched its biggest-ever community fundraising campaign, Just One More, during September in hope of bringing in at least £40,000 – the amount required to fund a nurse for a year.

A £25,000 cheque from Deloitte, an official charity partner of Cure Leukaemia since 2013, took the total to £53,124.

Jackie Kelly, Cure Leukaemia’s head of corporate partnerships, said: “We issued a rallying call to the Midlands region to get behind Just One More and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who has helped us raise such a big total.

“Of course, a massive thank you goes to Deloitte, who have been fantastic supporters of our work for the past two years.

“Their £25,000 donation will go a long way to funding Just One More specialist research nurse. The equation is simple: the more nurses we fund, the more blood cancer patients will receive potentially lifesaving treatment.”

Dominic Wong, partner lead for corporate responsibility at Deloitte in Birmingham, said: “Our people nominate, promote and then choose our office charity, which is why they bring so much passion and determination to our fundraising activities.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be supporting Cure Leukaemia, which is doing so much – not just here in the Midlands but in transforming the global field of translational medicine.”

City businesses support PwC’s LandAid fundraising challenge

ACCOUNTANCY firm PwC in the Midlands has raised £3,000 for property industry charity LandAid after a raft of businesses in Birmingham showed overwhelming support.

LandAid is supported by the PwC Foundation and uses the property industry’s resources to support projects working with children and young people who experience disadvantage due to their economic or social circumstances.

As a grant-making organisation, LandAid funds charities across the UK, including The Jericho Foundation and St Basils in the Midlands.

These projects take young people on a journey from being in crisis to being financially independent and confident about their future.

On LandAid Day (October 15), three teams from PwC’s Birmingham real estate team set off on a two-hour ‘Apprentice style’ mission to use their powers of persuasion to secure as many prizes as possible – and were overwhelmed by the support from local businesses.

Prizes were donated by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Clements and Church, Anderson & Hill, Thorntons, and a range of hair and beauty outlets including Oliver James Salon, Christodoulous Hair & Beauty, Organique, Toni & Guy, The Barbour House, The Club and Spa at The Cube and Upper Cuts.

An assortment of donations were also received from hotels, bars and restaurants, including Hotel du Vin, Purnells, Opus, Jamie’s Italian, Asha’s, The Actress & Bishop, Stirlings Bar, Cucina Rustica, Metro Bar & Grill, Home is Where, Chaophraya, Mission Burrito and Browns Brasserie & Bar.

The fundraising day was organised by Suzi Edwards and Sophie Crossley from PwC in the Midlands.

Birmingham business launches Christmas present giveaway

CHILDREN’S charities and groups in Birmingham are set to benefit from a windfall of presents this Christmas, simply by nominating themselves.

Volkswagen Van Centre Birmingham is on ‘Santa Patrol’ as it searches for children’s charities and groups to receive sacks full of festive presents and is asking the public to submit their choice.    

The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle business, on St Stephen’s Way, is part of the family owned and run motor group Swansway which launched its Santa Patrol Christmas present giveaway last year.

The group gave away £10,000 worth of gifts to children across the Midlands and North West and is on patrol again for this Christmas.

Swansway Group director, David Smyth, explained, “There are a lot of children out there, for whom Christmas isn’t the magical time it should be. As a family business we feel this just isn’t right, so if we can try and help make Christmas a little more special for these children, then we will.”

Innovation Birmingham Campus turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Day

INNOVATION Birmingham Campus and Thomas Vale Construction workers on the iCentrum development combined forces to raise more than £250 for ‘Wear It Pink’ day, to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
Innovation Birmingham organised a raffle and cake sale to support the cause, and money was donated by all those wearing something pink for the day.

Every year, ‘Wear It Pink’ day raises around £2m, by asking people to wear something pink and donate whatever they can.

Since the very first ‘Wear It Pink’ event in 2002, the Breast Cancer Now charity has raised more than £27m, thanks to the generosity of many thousands of people taking part in approximately 7,093 schools, 39,964 workplaces and 8,256 homes and social venues.

Pia Pearson, digital marketing manager for Innovation Birmingham who organised the day’s activities, said: “The Innovation Birmingham Campus supports a number of charity initiatives throughout the year.

“Wear It Pink day is one of the most popular dates on the calendar, and it’s often the men who make the most effort to embrace the theme.”