Category Archives: Charity & CSR

Charity & CSR, News

Joint project will see thousands of Kenyan schoolchildren have access to IT equipment

SCHOOL children in Kenya will have access to crucial IT equipment and improved education, thanks to a new project.

Online learning platform, GoodHabitz, is pledging to donate €1 for every online course completed to Computer Aid, a charity that provides high-quality IT equipment and education in the developing world.

Eindhoven-based GoodHabitz runs courses on a range of work-related topics, ranging from mindfulness to working from home, to employees of companies across Europe.

So far, in the first week of January, it has already raised €15,000 of its €100,000 goal.

The total fundraising amount will allow Computer Aid to provide up to 10 secondary schools around Kenya with 30 computers, complete with keyboards, monitors and mouses, as well as other equipment such as printers, headphones and projectors.

Members of its Kenya-based team will also deliver International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) training sessions to the school’s teachers, training them in basic IT skills such as Microsoft programmes and using the internet safely, to enhance their teaching to allow the students to benefit even more from the equipment.

Keith Sonnet CEO at Computer Aid International said the charity is hugely grateful for this partnership and admires GoodHabitz commitment and support.

He said: ‘Sometimes we take technology and internet access for granted, however the Covid19 crisis brought to light the enormous digital divide that still exists and our work at Computer Aid is now more relevant than ever, our aim through this program is to enhance the quality of learning, educational achievement, and future career paths for school children. Goodhabitz is proposing an innovative way to contribute in reducing the digital access inequalities and demonstrating the vital role of the private sector to achieve a more equal society.’

‘In some schools, there are around 3,000 students. For each €1 that GoodHabitz donates to the charity, it will provide a student with 20 hours of learning. We are hoping to provide each student with at least an hour of IT learning time every week.

‘Over the last year, we have already installed equipment in 10 schools in Kenya and some of the schools previously had only a blackboard to deliver teaching with. We’re very grateful for the donation from GoodHabitz and are looking forward to changing more young peoples’ lives and giving them the opportunity for success in the workplace.’

The charity will also provide the schools with copyright-free learning content in Swahlili that can be used both on and off-line, using content from local creators wherever possible.

Maarten Franken, CEO of GoodHabitz said: ‘It’s the mission of GoodHabitz to get everyone excited about learning. By taking a course, people will give someone else around the globe the possibility to learn and develop new skills as well. If that isn’t a good incentive to add ‘learning new skills’ to the top of your New Year’s resolution list, what is?! Together we make the world a better place.’

Kevin Lamers, global content marketing strategist at GoodHabitz said: ‘It’s really special and important for us that while people are learning here in Europe, they are allowing young people in Africa to learn. We’re really proud of the partnership we have created and encourage people to enroll in courses to help us reach our fundraising target.’

Since its launch in 1997, Computer Aid has already helped over 14.5 million people worldwide, enabling over 1 billion hours of learning.

Charity & CSR, News, Property

Berkshire developer makes grand gesture to charity helping children with life-limiting conditions

David Wilson Homes Southern has donated £1,000 to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service (Alexander Devine), which provides specialist care and lifeline support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.

Working across Berkshire and into surrounding counties, Alexander Devine currently supports over 135 children and their families, and are committed to continuing to grow their regional service and reach out to every child that needs them.

In reaching out to its local communities, David Wilson Homes has made the £1,000 donation as part of its Community Fund scheme to help the children’s hospice service continue to meet the needs of the children and families that rely upon its service.

With minimal government funding, the homebuilder’s financial gesture will help Alexander Devine to meet the £1.8 million cost of running its vital children’s hospice service each year.

Jenni Green, Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser at Alexander Devine, said: “We’re thrilled to have received this donation and would like to say a huge thank you to David Wilson Homes for choosing to support us through its Community Fund scheme.

“We are a local charity that is nearly entirely reliant on fundraising and donations to run our vital children’s hospice service. This donation will make a such a difference to those children and families that rely on our services.

“We’re caring for more children with complex medical needs than ever before and we can only continue doing so with the support of incredible organisations like David Wilson Homes.

“This generous donation could help fund nearly 23 hours of specialist nursing care for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. This precious time will allow parents much-needed respite and give a child the opportunity to experience fun, joy and adventures at our hospice or in their own home.

“The Community Fund scheme is a wonderful and generous way for local charities like ours to benefit from much-needed funding. We can’t thank David Wilson enough for its kindness.”

Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service has a holistic approach that is bespoke for each child and family in order to provide the best possible care and support that they need.

Whether it is at the children’s hospice in Maidenhead or out in the community in a family’s home, hospital or school, the charity offers respite care, specialist play, symptom management, family support, end-of-life care and bereavement support.

Campbell Gregg, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service carries out admirable work in Berkshire and beyond. We’re proud that we can support the charity in continuing to make a difference to so many lives in the local community.

“The role of our Community Fund scheme is to help the wonderful charities and organisations in the areas in which we build and we’re thrilled we’ve been able to support Alexander Devine with our donation.”

The charity was founded by John and Fiona Devine in memory of their son, Alexander, who sadly passed away from a rare brain tumour in 2006. Their personal experience led them to realise a vital need for a local children’s hospice service with a hospice facility in Berkshire.

More information about Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is available at www.alexanderdevine.org.

To find out more about David Wilson Homes, visit www.dwh.co.uk.

Charity & CSR, Events, PR and SEO, Tech, Training

Innovative Ideas for FREE with Code Computerlove’s Make Change Fridays

Organisations looking for innovative ideas to solve their biggest problems or improve digital service areas this year are being offered a free workshop by leading digital product and service studio Code Computerlove.

Its ‘Make Change Fridays’ workshops aim to help organisations with tech for good initiatives that are seeking solutions to challenging problems – whether that relates to strategic direction, comms, digital platforms, or positioning.

​​Code has recently trialled the workshops with charity Manchester Pride, where the agency provided strategic communications support in preparation for 2022 marketing planning.

Lizzy Holroyd from Manchester Pride said: “The team at Code were very insightful and generous with their time. They introduced a range of strategic and tactical comms ideas that has given us lots of impetus and a greater focus for our activities this year.”

Rob Jones, Managing Director of Code says: “This is our way of giving back and supporting tech for good initiatives that make meaningful change to people’s lives and communities.

“We have previously dedicated 10% of our time on Friday afternoons for our team’s personal development, but many felt that working on live briefs would be a more beneficial way to develop their skills. We’re also passionate about supporting organisations like Pride who are making a real difference, and our team now have the option to support if they wish.”

Rob added: “We have developed time-effective and impactful methods to deep dive into our client’s needs which we implement in our experience design and day zero workshops. Our ‘light touch’ Make Change Fridays workshops take elements of these methods to provide a boost of inspiration, direction and actionable ideas to shape future roadmaps.

“We can support organisations with common business problems and use our expertise across strategy, marketing, tech and customer experience design to hone in on exciting ideas for how they might be tackled.

“We have always offered our event space for free to the local Manchester digital community to share ideas and collaborate, and we hope this initiative is another way we can help businesses thrive this year.”

Businesses can find out more about the workshops and register interest here: https://www.codecomputerlove.com/make-change-fridays-workshop/

Charity & CSR, Construction, Food & Drink, Midlands News, News

Construction firm ‘buzzing’ to help Shropshire charity

A construction firm is helping a Shropshire charity build for the future by creating a new facility so it can efficiently process and produce its wares for sale to the public.

Pave Aways Building Contractors is building a honey extraction room for the Shropshire Beekeepers’ Association at its HQ and apiary in Shrewsbury, free of charge as part of its community benefits programme.

The new extraction room, which is being constructed to meet stringent food hygiene standards, will enable the charity to sell the honey it produces at its apiary in Nobold Lane, where it also hosts training courses and runs a wildlife visitor centre to promote awareness of the role bees play in the environment.

Pave Aways’ site manager Carl Davies is leading the conversion of an existing storeroom into a honey extraction room including kitting it out to be fully wipeable, replacing the lights, ceiling tiles and fitting sockets for the equipment required to extract and bottle the honey.

The firm is also going to sponsor two hives at the apiary and will donate one to a local school to support the education programme the association is trying to reintroduce.

Managing Director Steven Owen said he was delighted that Pave Aways was able to help the association with this project.

“The work that Shropshire Beekeepers Association is doing is crucial to encourage and educate the public about the importance of bees to the ecological balance of our planet.

“We are always keen to help those charities and organisations in the communities where we work and put our skills to good use where it will make a real difference. The work of the Beekeepers’ Association to spread the word about bees is incredibly valuable and we are pleased to be a small part of its legacy by sponsoring a hive and sharing one with a Shropshire school.”

David Draper, a committee member and fundraiser for the Shropshire Beekeepers’ Association, said: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to Pave Aways for the reconstruction work it is doing at our apiary.

“This very generous practical contribution will provide a much-needed special room and facility for the clean and efficient extraction of honey, something we could not otherwise have had. This room will further enhance our objective of educating the public on the environmental importance of bees and beekeeping and provide saleable honey to generate income for the charity, helping to ensure its sustainability and, of course, providing delicious honey for consumption.”

Charity & CSR, Construction News, News

South Wales housebuilder raises over £100k for charities

Barratt and David Wilson Homes South Wales has this week donated a total of £102,930.50 to two chosen charities ― the housebuilder’s charity of the year, Mind Cymru (receiving £43,930.50), and children’s charity, KidsOut (receiving £59,000.00).

The financial impact of the pandemic has been especially devastating for the charity sector, with Barratt Developments South Wales taking the early decision to extend its 12-month partnership with Mind Cymru by another year ― to maximise fundraising opportunities.

The South Wales housebuilder is also a longstanding supporter of KidsOut ― the fun and happiness charity which provides positive experiences to disadvantaged children in refuge.

Pre-Covid, money was raised for both charities through a number of different initiatives, including the sale of ex-show home furniture to staff and homebuyers and ‘dress down days’ in the Barratt and David Wilson offices.

During lockdown however, the majority of the housebuilder’s planned fundraising events were cancelled, including its annual charity golf day at the Celtic Manor Resort. Instead, the team donated the funds for its annual staff Christmas party to Mind Cymru, as well as continuing with its popular furniture sales and making gift donations to KidsOut — to help bring a smile to children’s faces during the festive period.

What’s more, Barratt Developments PLC at UK-level matched part of the money raised by the South Wales division for Mind Cymru, with a contribution of £15,000.00.

The total amount raised will go a long way towards supporting Welsh wellbeing, with just £10 allowing 40 people receive essential information booklets about mental health, and £120 offering a lifeline to eight people in desperate need of support from the Mind legal line. Meanwhile, £300 could support a young person bereaved by suicide to access one-to-one or group support.

Adele Sherwood, Community Fundraising Manager for Mind, said: “We are extremely grateful to have been chosen as Barratt & David Wilson Homes South Wales’ charity of the year.

“During the last 18 months, millions of us have either experienced a mental health problem, or seen a loved one struggle ― highlighting the desperate need for further support in Wales.

“The incredible sum raised will therefore help us step up the fight for mental health ― fighting for change, for fairness, for respect and for life-changing support.”

Through their support services and network of local Minds, Mind Cymru helps people experiencing mental health problems to live life as fully as possible. They won’t give up until everyone who suffers from a mental health problem is able to access the support they need, and consequently, gain the respect they deserve.

Steve Williams, Managing Director for Barratt and David Wilson South Wales said: “We’re extremely pleased as an organisation to donate such a vast amount of money to both Mind Cymru and KidsOut ― whose work is imperative to everyone of all ages in Wales.

“This past year has proven that anyone’s life can be impacted by mental health problems ― at any time ― and we sincerely hope our donation to Mind Cymru will help make mental health services more accessible to everyone who needs them.

“In the same way, the pandemic has had a devastating affect on young children ― especially those living in violent homes and seeking refuge. Barratt Developments South Wales is therefore proud to play our part in fighting alongside these vital charities for a better future for all.”

If you’re living with a mental health problem – or supporting someone who is – you can access a range of Mind Cymru’s services here: https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/mind-cymru/ or by contacting 0300 123 3393 or emailing info@mind.org.uk.

To make a donation to Mind Cymru, please visit: https://www.mind.org.uk/donate/.

To make a donation to KidsOut, please visit: https://kidsoutuk.enthuse.com/donate#!/

Charity & CSR, News

Bedfont Scientific Ltd. spreads festive joy by donating 250 presents this Christmas

Bedfont and its sponsored football team, Medway United FC, have teamed up to donate 125 gifts to Medway hospital and 125 gifts to Children’s Cancer Charity, My Shining Star

Medical device manufacturer, Bedfont Scientific Ltd., has joined forces with the local football team it sponsors, Medway United FC, to spread a little Christmas Joy by donating 250 gifts. On Tuesday 14th December, Bedfont and Medway United donated 125 gifts to Medway Hospital for the children who will there over Christmas, and another 125 gifts to the children’s cancer charity ‘My Shining Star’ also based in Medway.

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, “Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’ Medway United and Bedfont are happy to spread some festive cheer at a time of year, which can be so difficult for many.”

Cherly Jones, Fundraising Officer at the Medway Hospital Charity, “We are extremely grateful to Bedfont and Medway United for their incredible donation of presents to our children’s ward at Medway Hospital.  Their generosity is very much appreciated, especially at this time of year, and I know our patients will be thrilled to receive them.”

Charity & CSR, News

Bourne Foodbank welcomes generous donation from local housing developer

A housebuilder based in Bourne has delivered a loaded car boot full of supplies to Bourne Foodbank, following a collection held by staff at its head office.

Allison Homes, which is building new homes across the East, donated the food for those in need of essential supplies this Christmas.

Bourne Foodbank, based off Spalding Road, is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, which works to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

The local foodbank, which opened in 2013, is run by Churches Together as a service to Bourne and the surrounding villages, and has over 40 volunteers and trustees who work to assist as many people in need as possible.

Maureen Cornell, Operations Manager at the Bourne Foodbank, said: “We are delighted with the generous donation from the staff at Allison Homes and we know many families will be blessed by the items over the Christmas period.”

Samantha Hart, Sales and Marketing Director at Allison Homes, said: “As a responsible housebuilder, we believe it is hugely important to help local people and organisations however we can.

“Christmas is all about coming together, and nobody deserves to go hungry, especially during the festive period.

“It has been a huge pleasure to be able to contribute to Bourne Foodbank and those who benefit from its services, and we hope our donation will offer a helping hand to those in need.”

A food collection point is located at Tesco in Bourne, open Monday to Saturday from 6am to midnight, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Foodbank opening hours are Tuesday, 1pm to 3pm and Friday, 9am to 11am.

Items which the foodbank is currently in need of are baked beans, UHT milk, jam, marmalade, fruit juice, squash, shampoo, washing up liquid, laundry washing liquid or powder, and soap or liquid handwash. Tinned items include soup, fish, fruit, ham, pies, custard and vegetables.

For more information on how to make a donation to Bourne Foodbank, visit https://bournefoodbank.org.uk/how-to-help/. More information on Allison Homes can be found at https://allison-homes.co.uk/.

Charity & CSR, FInance

Swansea Building Society gives boost to kidney charity’s Christmas appeal

Swansea Building Society has donated £1,000 to help Swansea-based kidney charity, The Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales, fund its annual Christmas Day Out appeal.

This year, The Paul Popham Fund’s Christmas Day Out will offer young people with kidney disease – cared for at the Children’s Kidney Centre – and their families, complimentary tickets to see Beauty and The Beast in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

The charity’s goal is to purchase 85 tickets to the spectacular event – one which many of the kidney patients’ families wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access.

The Christmas Day Out event aims to lift spirits and encourage social interaction with other patients going through similar experiences of kidney disease. The charity hopes that it will help them to feel reassured that they’re not alone, whilst building their self-esteem and confidence.

Swansea Building Society’s sizable donation has come as a substantial boost to the charity’s fundraising for the event, and will go some considerable way to making attending it a reality for a number of families.

Jo Popham, CEO at The Paul Popham Fund, said:

“We’re overjoyed to have received this extremely generous pledge of £1,000 from our friends at the wonderful Swansea Building Society, to help towards our Christmas Day Out appeal.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, our community of paediatric kidney patients have been classified as extremely vulnerable and had to spend lengthy periods of time shielding – on top of an already disabling illness. This, undoubtedly, has added to a feeling of loneliness and anxiety for many of them.

“We hope the Christmas Day Out will give them the opportunity to make friends, talk with people going through similar experiences and most of all have some much-needed fun! Swansea Building Society’s donation has really helped to make this happen.”

Alun Williams, Chief Executive at Swansea Building Society, said:

“At Swansea Building Society, it’s wonderful to be in a position to help local communities and charities whenever we can. The Paul Popham Fund’s work makes a huge difference to those living with kidney disease and their families. This Christmas Day Out should put a big

smile on many of their faces – very well deserved at this time of year. We wish them all a very merry Christmas and hope they enjoy what we’re sure will be a magical experience of attending the production of Beauty and The Beast.”

Charity & CSR, Christmas

Moneypenny Support Dandy’s ‘Give a Gift’ Appeal

Moneypenny supported Dandy’s Topsoil again this year with their ‘Give a Gift’ appeal.

The company got fully involved in the project and held their own ‘Give a Gift’ day where employees bought in in gifts for Dandy’s to collect and deliver to children throughout Wrexham, Cheshire and Flintshire, through the charities Save the family, The British Red Cross and Local Solutions.

Joanna Swash, Group CEO of Moneypenny comments: “This is always one of my favourite days of the year here at Moneypenny and we have supported Dandy’s with this excellent initiative for number of years. Our wonderful people enjoy bringing in something to help others and this is just a small thing to make a child smile this Christmas.”

Charity & CSR, Midlands News, News

Businessman gives festive thank you to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

A businessman who credits the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity with saving his life after a near fatal car crash has donated £1,000 to the charity as a festive thank you.

Kevin Stevens, Managing Director of the E5 Group, which has property, care and minerals interests and is based near Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire, handed over a cheque to fundraising executive Kay Starkey at the charity’s Stourbridge headquarters in lieu of his business sending Christmas cards.

He has been a regular donor to the airborne medics since the 70mph crash in 2012 that resulted in him sustaining catastrophic injuries when a suspected stroke at the wheel caused his right foot to slam on the accelerator. After clipping a tree, this car spun uncontrollably and crashed into a tree side on, causing Kevin to suffer further life-threatening injuries.

The timely rescue and medical intervention that included land ambulances, the fire service, police and two air ambulances, including one of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s helicopters, played a crucial role in ensuring Kevin went on to make a full recovery.

He said: “I have little memory of what happened on that day but I’m in no doubt that I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for the emergency services and the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

“I know I received advanced critical care to stabilise my condition whilst I was extracted from the vehicle before being flown to the major trauma centre at Coventry’s Walsgrave Hospital where I was in a medically induced coma for over a month.”

Kevin’s extensive injuries included several fractures to his skull and he broke all but three ribs and his back. His heart went into cardiac arrest 17 times while he underwent surgery.

Since going on to make a miraculous recovery, Kevin has been a firm supporter of the charity and organised events and made donations to support its lifesaving work.

Kay Starkey, West Midlands Regional Fundraising Executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, added: “Kevin’s incident was so traumatic that our critical care team was rapidly dispatched and took advanced care, medicines and equipment to the scene. We are so glad Kevin is still with us and are truly grateful for his generous gift this Christmas.

“The donation will help fund four further lifesaving missions in our critical care cars, which alongside our air ambulance helicopters, tend to incidents just like Kevin’s.”