Money raised by challenge
Jul 7 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette
A CORPORATE charity challenge has raised £30,000 for two local charities.
Accounting, tax and business recovery experts Vantis launched its inaugural Tees Valley Vantis Corporate Challenge earlier this year.
This is the first year that Vantis, which has offices based in 17 locations across the UK, including Darlington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, has run the event in the Tees Valley region.
More than 50 Tees Valley companies signed up to the event and pledged their support. Teams then spent three months raising as much money as possible for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice and Hartlepool and District Hospice, using their initial £50 starter cash from Vantis.
The only condition was that the fundraising activities had to be done both ethically and legally.
Martin Barber, client partner at Vantis in Tees Valley, thanked all the challengers involved for their dedicated fundraising efforts.
“Collectively, the two hospices need to raise £6 per minute to continue offering their invaluable services, which are free of charge to all patients and their families.
“As a result of the companies generously giving their time and resources, they have directly contributed to the local community, by supporting two highly regarded charities and the work they do – something we should all be very proud of.”
The fundraising activities included bungee jumping, canoeing, cake baking, knitting and hiking.
Vantis employee Tracy Sykes, even shaved off all her hair, raising more than £3,000 for the charities.
At the award ceremony held at mima in Middlesbrough, companies gathered to be in with a chance of winning one of three top awards.
The award for the Most Money Raised was presented to Jane West and Mike Clarke from Teesside Shopping Park, whose team managed to raise a staggering £3,610.37.
The Most Innovative Idea title was picked up by a five-strong team from Archers Law. Partner Alastair Smith and his team set themselves the tough challenge of canoeing up the east coast from Teesside to Newcastle, which helped to raise more than £1,000.
The final award - for Education - was presented to Nunthorpe School. In addition to hosting a variety of fundraising ideas including a sponsored bike ride, raffle, sponsored fast and a ‘beat the goalie’ event. Teacher, Will Bailey, who accepted the award, was also paid to dress as a woman for a day, helping to raise more than £2,500 in all.
Total funds raised will be donated equally between the two charities.
Zoe’s Place event coordinator, Rachel Bareham, said: “Challengers have not only demonstrated a great attitude and team spirit, but also helped to raise a significant sum of money to support those in need.”
Tracy Woodall, chief executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice, added: “In its inaugural year, the Tees Valley Vantis Corporate Challenge has raised an amazing amount of money, which has only been made possible by the tremendous hard work put in by Vantis and each of the companies involved. The great thing about this is that, together, we have all been able to make a big difference and positively affect the lives of local people.”
Mr Barber added: “This has been a fantastic first year for the Vantis Corporate Challenge in Tees Valley. We have been overwhelmed by the incredible response we have received from local businesses, and by the creativity of the challengers in their fundraising initiatives. I am delighted and encouraged to see that many of the companies who competed in this year’s event have already registered for the next challenge - in 2010.”
