Many of our fundraisers support St Peter’s Hospice for personal reasons – and corporate supporters ARAG are no different.
As Ian Screen, People Services Manager from the Bristol-based legal insurers explains, it was the Hospice’s care for a colleague that made the connection.
‘Lesley worked with us at ARAG, and St Peter’s Hospice cared for her in her final days. As a team we wanted to give something back. That’s why we made St Peter’s Hospice our Charity of the Year.’
It’s a way for a business to make a commitment to a single charity, and focus all their fundraising efforts in one place.
In return, the business receives direct practical support, local promotion, regular communications about volunteering opportunities, and clear evidence of their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. They also receive lots of goodwill from customers, and lots of appreciation from their charity partners!
‘It was such a range of different things,’ says Ian. ‘We did some at work together off our own bat, like a staff social and a raffle. We used donating to the Hospice as an incentive to complete an internal survey, which helped us get the response we hoped for. It was great to take up opportunities to work together as a team too – like a day gardening at the Hospice.
‘The charity organises a lot of events that make it simple to get involved in a personal challenge. Some of our staff took on the Bristol 3 Peaks, and a terrifying 1500ft abseil in the city centre. And we had a big team for the Bristol 10k and half marathon too, who all supported one another to keep going.
‘Over the course of a year, we’ve raised £7,529.63! Knowing that the money will go to give the kind of care Lesley received – that’s so important. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved together.’
‘Lots!’ says Louise Turner, Corporate Fundraising Manager at St Peter’s Hospice. ‘They get a dedicated relationship manager – that’s me – to help them with anything and everything.
‘I usually start the relationship by giving a presentation to staff about the work of the Hospice, and the impact their fundraising could have. Even staff who have a close connection with the kind of care we give are often surprised by how much we do. We’re here for all aspects of life-limiting illness, not only end-of-life care in the Hospice itself: caring for patients and families in the place they call home, offering training and advice, giving emotional support and practical help, connecting people with social care and other agencies. That’s why their support can make such a difference over a whole year, helping us keep all those different services running.
‘Our corporate partners hear about all the opportunities coming up, and we can help with ideas. We make sure to celebrate their achievements in the local media, online, and in our newsletters to local people – volunteers, supporters, other businesses. Our Charity of the Year partners also receive certificates to mark milestones in their support. And of course we help with practical things, like collection buckets and other promotional material for events they hold.
'You can commit for a year, but many of our partners choose to make it a longer-running partnership. The Hospice's work touches so many lives locally, so employers and employees alike feel a real desire to get involved and give that support.'
Could your business make a difference to patient care for people with life-limiting illness? Would your employer be interested in hearing more?
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