[Z]ip Wire Jumping off the Tyne Bridge, Walking Hadrian’s Wall, Gelt Gladiators, and #HelloYellow Days have all been part of a year-long charity initiative run by the Carlisle-based company H&H Group.
The culmination of the charity fundraising campaign was reached earlier today whne when Brian Richardson, Chief Executive of H&H Group presented a cheque for £10,000 to be split between their two charities – Macmillan Cancer Support and YoungMinds.
This money has been raised through a number of initiatives completed by the enthusiastic participation of over 100 members of H&H staff – many of whom threw themselves into a series of challenging events, in order to reach the target set. The outcomes have not only helped the charities concerned, but have also played a significant part in the lives of staff – bringing people together in special teams and competitions that have had a hugely positive effect on working relations and attitudes. Each charitable initiative has involved members of staff at all levels from each of H&H’s businesses, including H&H Reeds Printers, H&H Land and Property, H&H Insurance Brokers, Harrison and Hetherington Auctioneers, H&H King, H&H Auction Rooms and MCL Hodgson.
Brian Richardson, who himself competed the Zip Down the Tyne Bridges, describes the involvement of the people across the Group. “Over 50 members of staff took part, and many more contributed – it’s a significant involvement from a staff of 320. They came from companies across the group, and at all levels. It is a great credit to everyone and what we have accomplished – in raising the money and it has also been a great opportunity for staff across the Group to work together and support each other.”
The range of fundraising initiatives and events have been extensive and were in the main chosen by the staff themselves. Highlights included, 22 staff members from across the H&H Group taking part in the Gelt Gladiator Event at Gelt Woods, Brampton, on Saturday 10th June. Competing against over 4,000 other participants through, up and over 48 obstacle challenges, battling mud, water, ice, and electric shocks raises they raised around £1,500.
Saturday 30th September saw H&H ‘Walking the Wall’. The walk was split into sections with each team walking a section, starting at Bowness on Solway and finishing at Heddon. Even a few showers failed to dampen spirits, as the teams raised another £1,500 towards their goal.
On Tuesday 10th October in support of World Mental Health Day all staff helped raise awareness and show young people they’re not alone when it comes to their mental health by wearing something yellow for #HelloYellow in exchange for a £1 donation. Just over £100 was raised. Four days later, October 14th brought a team of 16 to the Tyne Bridge Zip Slide. The Slide started at a challenging 35m above the Newcastle quayside and made its way 230m across the River Tyne, finishing on the Gateshead side of the river. The team raised around £3,000.
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people. They exist so that young people have the strongest possible voice in improving their mental health. YoungMinds strives to make sure everything, from Government policy to practice in schools and services, is driven by young people’s experiences and aspirations. They also support parents to help their children through difficult times, equip professionals to provide the best possible support to the young people that they work with, and they empower young people to change their world.
Macmillan Cancer Support believes that, with the right support, many people with cancer can carry on being parents, grandparents, mates, colleagues, lovers. … You may have cancer, but you are still you, with a life to lead, friends to see, family who need you and people to love. Because life with cancer is still life, and Macmillan will help you live it.
Ellie Saltrick, Development Manager at YoungMinds says “We are so grateful for the support H&H have given us over the last year. It’s been great to see their staff so engaged with young people’s mental health and getting behind our #HelloYellow campaign in October. The awareness and generous funds raised will help us continue our vital work for children and young people’s mental health.”
Sue McDonald, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Fundraising Manager for Cumbria adds, “Macmillan couldn’t provide services to local cancer patients without the amazing support from local companies such as H&H. This much appreciated support keeps providing our vital services to support local people living with cancer, and their families. We are so grateful for this support.
Brian continues: “The two charities were specifically chosen as we felt that everyone across the business could relate to them. Mental health, particularly amongst young people is an area that needs support and this was our way of highlighting this issue. We are all indebted to the support given by Macmillan Cancer Support – and everyone feels connected to cancer care, or knows someone who has been affected. Through the last twelve months, we have pushed ourselves to do things outside our comfort zones, for causes we all identify with, and the results have been fantastic but not a surprise from the great team we have at H&H.”
We will be looking forward in 2018 to more charity fundraising and are asking staff to nominate charities we can focus on in the coming year.
The H&H Group, based at Borderway Mart Carlisle, operates as a holding company with its eight successful operating companies encompassing Livestock and Machinery Auctioneers; Brokers and Valuers; Estate Agents; Auction Rooms; Commercial Printers; Chartered Surveyors; and Insurance Brokers. It has offices throughout the region, from Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders.