Charity: Ice cream giant backs bobsleigh programme; Law firm announces charity partner; and more
A NATIONWIDE programme designed to identify the British bobsleigh champions of the future has received a £10,000 sponsorship boost from Yorkshire’s R&R Ice Cream – the world’s third largest ice cream manufacturer.
The British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association (BBSA) launched its latest youth programme in October 2014 to encourage promising young athletes interested in pursuing the sport to come forward with the aim of competing at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympics.
Two of the current stars of the programme travelled to Camp Hill outdoor activities centre near Bedale in North Yorkshire which has one of only two permanent bobsleigh push start tracks in the UK. George Johnston and Kelsea Purchall finished the season ranked no1 in the world in the mens’ and ladies’ youth mono bobsleigh categories respectively.
At Camp Hill, they met up with R&R CEO Ibrahim Najafi and tested their skills on the push start track.
Mr Najafi said: “I am delighted to support this valuable initiative which will hopefully produce future sliding stars who will shine at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games in Lausanne. I am personally keen on the programme as it enables youngsters to make the most of their natural talents and also there is a big focus on commitment and teamwork. At R&R we like to get involved in schemes where our donation will make a real difference and I wish the youth programme every success in the future.”
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LAW firm Gordons has named Yorkshire-based charity Simon on the Streets as its chosen charity partner and will support it with a full programme of fundraising activities for the next year.
Simon on the Streets is an independent charity offering emotional and practical support on an outreach basis to rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping. The charity works with those who have unmet complex needs and cannot or will not access mainstream services offering them unlimited opportunities to achieve a positive change.
The charity intentionally remains independent of statutory funding to allow it to work without restrictions and to deliver tailor-made support on an individual basis, which makes fundraising and corporate partnerships vitally important to its work.
Simon on the Streets currently supports around 100 people across the Yorkshire region through projects in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield, and estimates that it costs over £2,200 per year to provide intensive support for one service user.
Simon on the Streets’ Ed Gallagher, general manager, said: “We are a charity working predominantly with those who are outside of the mainstream system, who often have complex ongoing needs and we rely almost entirely on fundraising and donations. Support from firms like Gordons allows us to provide everything from a cup of coffee and a much-needed chat with a service user to being there for our users should they be hospitalised or suffer a serious incident such as an assault.”
Over the past five years Gordons has raised more than £100,000 for its chosen charities including £10,000 for its charity partner Willow Young Carers Service in 2015.
Gordons announces 2016 charity partner, Simon on the Streets (L-R: Simon on the Streets general manager, Ed Gallagher, Gordons solicitor Sarah Ratcliffe, Simon on the Streets development manager Aissa Gallie, Gordons partners Victoria Davey and Anjon Mallik
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CLOSE BROTHERS Motor Finance employees across the country have raised £26,321.38 as part of a week-long Close Brothers Group charity event held in May. The money raised will be donated to Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Close Brothers Motor Finance employees took part in a range of fundraising initiatives including a 1,300 mile cycling challenge between all offices, a silent auction, and a directors tennis match between Paul Kaye, Sales and Marketing Director, Close Brothers Motor Finance and Bob Golden, CEO, Close Brothers Retail Division, in Doncaster. Dealers also had the opportunity to get involved with branches putting their account managers up for auction and others taking part in cake sales, quiz and racing nights.
James Broadhead, CEO of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “I’d like to commend the efforts of all those who took part in the Charity Week initiative. From the great determination shown by our staff who took part in our cycle challenge to the dealers and employees who dug deep to bid on our silent auction, everyone has played their part in helping us raise even more money for such a vital cause. We’re delighted to have raised such a significant amount for two incredible charities.”
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AFTER three years of fundraising, a team at Home Décor in Sheffield has raised more than £26,000 – enough to sponsor a private bedroom in the new wing of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Originally, Home Décor hoped to raise £5,000 in aid of The Children’s Hospital Charity by taking on the 2014 Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. But after smashing their target they decided to set their sights even higher, aiming to fundraise the amount it costs to sponsor a private ensuite bedroom as part of the Make it Better appeal.
“Many of our employees at Home Décor have special links with the Sheffield Children’s Hospital,” says executive assistant Sarah Fewkes. “Lots of our children and families have benefited from the world-class care provided there so it’s a cause that is very close to our hearts.”
After learning more about theimprovements being planned at the children’s hospital, the Home Décor team came up with more ways to support the hospital. Over the past three years they have taken part in a staff raffle, a Christmas jumper day and the Round Sheffield Walk.
“We’re so proud of our staff who really put their all into fundraising,” says Ms Fewkes. “It feels fantastic to be involved with the Make it Better appeal. The new facilities being built will directly benefit our children and then their children going forward so it’s going to have a massive impact on the community as a whole.”
The Make it Better Appeal was launched in 2012 to help fund the redevelopment of a new hospital wing at Sheffield Children’s Hospital – the biggest project of its kind in the region.
