Leading business such as HSBC, Northumbrian Water, Dickinson Dees, Ward Hadaway, Elliot Dent, Gordon Brown Law Firm and Mincoffs solicitors in Newcastle have been supporting one of the North East’s biggest disability charities.
The Percy Hedley Foundation recently announced that they were challenging local companies with the Challenge 500 project. The charity, which supports children, young people and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, is investing £500 to businesses and challenging them to make as much money as possible with the investment.
Businesses have six months to raise funds for the charity using a range of different ideas from fundraising events to their own mini enterprises. After their time is up the businesses taking part will give back the £500 time along with the money that they have raised.
Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham, is wholeheartedly supporting the campaign: “I’m delighted to support Challenge 500 and I am urging North East businesses to sign up. This challenge is a superb team building exercise and an ideal way to achieve your corporate social responsibilities, while having lots of fun.”
He continued: “I’ve supported the Percy Hedley Foundation for a number of years and the money this project generates will be a huge boost to the services they offer to disabled people.”
The only rule for the competition is that the money raised is made on an ethical, moral and legal way.
Chief Executive of the Percy Hedley Foundation, Carole Harder, said: “I’m delighted that so many businesses have already signed up for Challenge 500. I really hope they can use it as an exercise in learning and development and team building. Aspiring Challenge 500 entrepreneurs must work together to turn the £500 seed funding into profit for The Percy Hedley Foundation over the course of six months, competing against each other to run the most profitable fundraising activities.”
She added: “I would encourage any business that hasn’t already signed up to get in touch as I am confident companies that take up the challenge will unearth an innovative and entrepreneurial capability in their people, which they will see come through in their day jobs as well. I’m sure the businesses taking part will have a lot of fun but they’ll also be supporting the work we do to enable disabled children, young people and adults to lead rewarding and fulfilling lives.”
If your business would like to take part contact Sheila Coltman, at the Percy Hedley Foundation, on 0191 238 1321 or email s.coltman@percyhedley.org.uk.