|
|
|
| |
| |
A team of climbers tested their stamina on one of the hottest days of the year by climbing three peaks in just 12 hours. Ten staff from Melksham-based audio services provider Sound Marketing set out to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk on 10 May, both as a team-building exercise and to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care.
Associate director Richard Ford said: “The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge involves walking just over 24 miles, ascending 5,000 feet and climbing three summits – Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – all within 12 hours.
“We knew it would be tough, and the warm weather made it even more of a challenge, but it was good fun. It feels good to have completed the event, and we are really pleased to have raised more than £1,300 for Dorothy House.
The team, whose ages range from mid-20s to mid-50s, set themselves an initial fundraising target of £500, but have raised nearly three times that amount.
Dorothy House corporate fundraiser Phillippa Watson said: “Congratulations to the Sound Marketing team on completing such a tough challenge – and raising so much money for us in the process. It’s always good to hear about companies taking a creative approach to fundraising, and organising events that benefit everyone.”
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Bath’s answer to the Three Peaks Challenge has raised nearly £3,000 for Dorothy House Hospice Care – and is in line to become an annual event.
Staff from Bath estate agents WhitfieldNash and lettings agency JDLettings took on three of the city’s toughest climbs – Bathwick Hill, Wellsway and Lansdown Road – earlier this summer, and enjoyed the experience so much they are planning to do it again next year.
Jim Whitfield, who owns both businesses, said: “Last year we did a sponsored swim for Dorothy House and raised about £800, but our ‘Three Peaks’ climb was so successful we would like to make it part of the Bath charity events calendar. Staff and friends took part in the challenge and were very generously sponsored, so we will be able to hand over a substantial sum to the hospice – money is still coming in, but we are already very close to the £3,000 mark.”
Anyone interested in taking part in next year’s challenge can call (01225) 480444 or (01225) 444434.
|
| |
The Home Office recently announced a grant programme designed to get
small and medium sized companies to set up payroll giving schemes. We
will be encouraging local companies to implement the scheme to persuade
their staff to make a monthly donation from their salary before tax.
The benefits are clear, but many companies still don't offer this simple
and tax effective method of giving to their staff. Now with these new
financial incentives there are no excuses. Depending on its size, a
company will receive a grant of up to £500 to set up a scheme
and the government will match each donation (up to £10) made by
employees for the first six months. As any payroll giving donation is
made before the PAYE tax is calculated, donations cost employees less.
An individual's donation of £5 per month would only cost £3.90,
ie. the cost of one lunch once a month, as the taxman would pay the
rest. With Home Office matching, this £3.90 is worth £10
to Dorothy House. For more information we have devised a simple guide
to payroll giving and Phillipa Watson would welcome the chance to meet
your company to talk about the benefits and how to put a scheme in place.
Alternatively, log onto to www.payrollgivinggrants.org.uk
for more details.
Giving through your pay is one of the best ways you can help. GAYE allows
employees to give a tax-free amount to charity on a regular basis directly
from their salary. And it gets better! So when you give £3.90
per month Dorothy House receives £5.00. If you're a higher rate
taxpayer then it only costs you £3.00!
To find out how easy it is to give contact the fundraising department
on 01225 721480
Pyjama parties, cycle rides, horse-less team events, marathons, sponsored
silences and custard pie throwing are just a few events that companies
have run to raise money. Come up with your own whacky ideas to have
fun or contact Helen Francis in fundraising on 01225 722988.
Many companies will match the money that their employees have raised
for charity. Lana Mackrell raised the highest sponsorship money for
the Girls on Top driving challenge –and that was before she got
matched funding from her employers – Rotork, in Bath. She raised
£268 and with matched giving, the grand total of £536 goes
towards patient care at Dorothy House Hospice Care.
| 
|
