North West charity holds its first fundraising ball and is calling on businesses for support

Koala North West, a specialist charity that offers emotional support to families is appealing for businesses and people to support their first ever fundraising ball on 4 May 2024.

The North West-based charity is calling for people across Liverpool, Merseyside, the Wirral and Cheshire to come together and book tickets or tables for this exciting event which will be held at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa.

The glamorous black tie ball promises to be a night to remember, with a sparkling drinks reception, three course dinner, live entertainment, dancing until late, plus an auction offering exclusive life experience prizes.

Koala North West, now its 23rd year of operating, is operated by a team of dedicated volunteers who offer a range of practical and emotional support to families who find themselves to be struggling with parenting issues.

The charity nurtures positive wellbeing and aims to ensure no parent, caregiver or child feels isolated and encourages them to thrive by offering them opportunities that help them realise their individual potential.

Tickets for the Spring Ball are £100 per person or £1000 for a table of 10, with all the proceeds going to Koala North West. They have set a target of £30,000 to raise on the night.

Koala is also looking for people to sign up to donate as  little as £5 per month for one year to help them with the vital work they do in the community. Details can be found on the website www.koalanw.co.uk

Call 0151 608 8288 for more information or email amandamoss@koalanw.co.uk.

The Heart of Business: How to Involve Your Company with Charitable Concerns

In today's interconnected world, the role of businesses extends beyond mere profit-making endeavours. 

Many companies are now recognising the importance of giving back to society and engaging with charitable concerns. 

Not only does this benefit the community and those in need, but it also fosters a positive corporate culture, strengthens brand reputation, and ultimately contributes to long-term business success. 

If you're wondering how to involve your business with charitable concerns, here are some meaningful ways to do so:

1. Define Your Values and Causes

Before diving into charitable initiatives, take the time to define your company's values and identify causes that align with them. Consider issues that resonate with your employees, customers, and stakeholders. Whether it's environmental sustainability, education, healthcare, or social justice, choosing causes that reflect your company's ethos will ensure genuine engagement and commitment.

2. Establish Partnerships

Collaborating with established charitable organisations can amplify the impact of your efforts. Research nonprofits or NGOs whose missions align with your chosen causes and explore partnership opportunities. This could involve providing financial support, volunteering time and resources, or even offering pro-bono services. Cultivating long-term relationships with charitable partners allows for sustained support and deeper engagement.

3. Implement Corporate Giving Programs

Integrate charitable giving into your company's operations through structured corporate giving programmes. This could involve donating a percentage of profits to charity, matching employee donations, or organising fundraising events. 

Encourage employee involvement by allowing them to nominate and vote on charitable organisations to support. Transparency and accountability are key in ensuring that contributions are effectively utilised and aligned with your company's values.

4. Volunteerism and Employee Engagement

Encourage employees to volunteer their time and skills to charitable causes. Organise group volunteer activities such as community clean-ups, mentoring programs, or skill-based workshops. Providing paid time off for volunteering sends a strong message of support for employee engagement in charitable endeavors.

 Additionally, consider offering skills-based volunteering opportunities where employees can leverage their expertise to support nonprofits in areas such as marketing, finance, or technology.

5. Cause Marketing Campaigns

Integrate charitable giving into your marketing strategy through cause marketing campaigns. Partner with charitable organisations to create co-branded campaigns that raise awareness and funds for important causes. Tie campaign initiatives to specific business milestones or events to maximise impact and visibility. Authenticity is paramount in cause marketing, so ensure that your campaigns genuinely reflect your company's values and commitment to social responsibility.

6. Measure and Communicate Impact

Regularly assess the impact of your charitable initiatives and communicate results to stakeholders. Track metrics such as funds raised, volunteer hours contributed, and the tangible outcomes achieved by charitable partners. Share success stories and testimonials to showcase the meaningful difference your company is making in the community. Transparency builds trust and credibility, reinforcing your company's commitment to social responsibility.

In conclusion, integrating charitable concerns into your business not only benefits society but also enriches your company's culture, brand, and bottom line. 

By aligning with your values, establishing meaningful partnerships, implementing corporate giving programmes, fostering employee engagement, leveraging cause marketing, and measuring impact, you can make a positive difference while driving sustainable business success. 

Embrace the opportunity to be a force for good in the world, and let compassion and empathy guide your business decisions. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

(Image courtersy of John Hain from Pixabay)

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh hands out awards to construction and property winners

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented the awards at the Windsor Guildhall to the winners of this year’s Windsor Half Marathon that benefits construction and property homelessness charity CRASH and the Prince Philip Trust. The winners included the fastest industry male and female runners – David Baker from British Gypsum and Alexandra O’Donovan from AECOM – as well as the team raising the most in sponsorship, which this year went to Balfour Beatty.

During 2011 CRASH has received applications for assistance from over 50 homelessness projects across the UK and has been able to donate £42,000 worth of free materials, £51,000 worth of free professional expertise and over £148,000 in grants.

CRASH Chief Executive Francesca Roberts said: “We are extremely grateful that the Windsor Half Marathon continues to support CRASH – this year donating over £17,000 to the work we do with the construction and property industry. CRASH is and effective and prudent charity spending 89.7% of its income on improving the buildings that homeless people increasingly need across the UK. CRASH also champions volunteering, so our patron’s employees can really make a difference and we provide a transparent conduit through which to donate free materials and professional expertise.”

"CRASH spends 89.7% of its income on improving the buildings that homeless people need. "