Wilko stores across East Anglia raise £132,683 for children’s charity
High Street chain wilko is celebrating having raised £132,683 in an incredible two years of fundraising across its East Anglia stores.
The lucky beneficiary is East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and the charity’s Norfolk Fundraising Manager, Carol Plunkett, recently welcomed wilko’s Karen Howorth and Emma Brooks to EACH’s Quidenham hospice.
Money was raised through team members’ activities out of stores, from skydives and endurance runs to EACH’s own Santa Runs, and in stores, from cake sales and bucket collections to head shaves and book stalls, in addition to carrier bag fees.
The support from wilko in 2017 extended to supplying £500 worth of vouchers for EACH’s Christmas parties as well as wrapping paper, crackers and presents. There were also instances of stores supplying volunteers and refreshments for the charity’s fundraising events, such as when wilko in King’s Lynn provided registrars and bottles of water for EACH’s Colour Dash in the town.
Among the busiest of wilko’s stores were its branches in Ely, Ipswich and King’s Lynn.
EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across the region, and supports their families. The good cause needs almost £6 million a year to provide its vital service.
Carol Plunkett, EACH’s Norfolk Fundraising Manager, said: “Wilko had ambitious targets at the start of its fundraising, but the enthusiasm of team members coupled with our support has produced exceptional results. We couldn’t be more grateful. The total amount raised is enough to pay for over a week of care and support across East Anglia.”
Nick Wilkinson, wilko’s Family Charity Ambassador, said: “Helping good causes and supporting great work in our community is at the heart of what we do at wilko. Our team members have loved supporting EACH over the last few years and it’s great to see how the funds that have been raised from our customers and team members have supported the charity.”
For more details about EACH and how to get involved with fundraising, go to www.each.org.uk.
East Anglia recruitment firm to lend three years of support to children’s charity
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is delighted to welcome Cooper Lomaz Recruitment as its latest corporate partner.
The recruitment agency that has offices in Norwich, Bury St Edmunds and Colchester has decided to support EACH for three years.
Staff across those offices will be working towards raising £5,600 as part of the charity’s new EACH Day Counts scheme. They are also hoping to contribute to the nook appeal.
EACH needs £5,600 to provide one day of round-the-clock care to children and young people with life-threatening conditions, plus support for their families, in one county.
The nook appeal is EACH’s campaign to raise £10 million and build a new hospice in Framingham Earl, transforming children’s palliative care for Norfolk.
Cooper Lomaz has already given EACH proceeds from its annual awards dinner in January, as well as money raised at an auction for staff to ‘own’ their managers for two hours and a company quiz.
Simon Brown, Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to support EACH for the next three years. We’re passionate about giving back to the local community and believe in supporting local charities. We take great pride in our employees taking part in fundraising and companywide activities, and look forward to our challenge climbing the Yorkshire Three Peaks this summer!”
Victoria Matthews, EACH Suffolk Corporate Fundraiser, said: “It’s fantastic news that Cooper Lomaz has chosen to support EACH for the next three years. We really value the support of businesses and by working with an organisation for this length of time we can build a great working relationship.”
For more details on EACH go to www.each.org.uk. To get involved with corporate fundraising in Norfolk call Sophie Mayes or Ellen Worsley on 01953 666768. To discuss corporate fundraising in Suffolk call Victoria on 01473 917962.
