“Sustainability” is now much more than a buzz word; it’s a crucial focus for leading organisations across the UK and indeed across the world. There is a building momentum globally to reset business models to truly value the health of the planet that we are all lucky to enjoy.
Culina Group is at the forefront of this reset.
One of the latest initiatives now underway across the Culina Group to help boost sustainability is a major systemised fleet refurbishment programme. The objective is to optimise utilisation of all existing fleet to its maximum potential.
Overall the Culina Group fleet is in excess of 5,000 units and 8,000 trailers. What’s more it’s a fleet that is growing year on year in line with business growth. New Mercedes, DAF, and Scania fleet is introduced regularly across the group to a rolling schedule to maintain performance quality.
The new refurbishment programme is operating in synchronisation with this fleet renewal schedule. This is ensuring that Culina Group is operating a high quality fleet nationwide whilst at the same time all fleet is exploited to its full potential.
The first phase of the refurbishment programme is now well underway. Over the past six weeks more than a hundred and thirty trucks from across the Group were sent to Culina House, the Group HQ at Warrington Cheshire, for a thorough refurbishment.
It’s been the start of a rigorous process that for each vehicle involves a series of stages so that it reaches a condition that could be considered almost new. The actual timescale for full refurbishment of each truck varies depending on the state it arrives in.
Firstly in the vehicle wash bay each vehicle is given a full chassis deep clean, a major steam clean operation that takes over an hour. Then all existing fleet livery is removed and the full cab is steam cleaned. This is an operation that in total takes around four hours. Next is a full internal valet which takes around three hours.
A through maintenance check follows and all necessary repairs are made. At the same time internal operating systems such as dash cams, trackers and telematics are replaced and revised.
Finally each unit is then liveried with the new Group branding a process that takes around half a day. Then prior to being released to the business full checks are made to ensure each vehicle is compliant to all regulations.
The refurbishment programme will run through to 2025 when the whole fleet will have been reviewed.
As an organisation that is fully committed to sustainability and positive environmental management, Culina Group follows a policy of continuous improvement in both operations and working practices. This is followed both across the group on a Macro level and at each location on a Micro level.
Pushing the glass ceiling, blue sky thinking, Helicopter perspectives, Ideation, Innovation, Initiative, TechHub is here!
Creating and defining cutting edge Logistics innovations to establish Culina Group as the UK’s most technologically advanced 3PL.
This summer Culina Group is introducing what it believes is a radically new concept in UK 3PL – TechHub.
Techub – is to be a completely new department within the Culina Group organisation and will be based at Culina House the Groups head office in Warrington in the North West of England. The role of TechHub is to be unique within Culina Group and almost certainly within UK Logistics.
In the words of the great orators of the business community – TechHub will be focused on “pushing the glass ceiling” of possibilities, “blue sky thinking” without rules to brainstorm breakthrough alternatives to doing things the way they have always been done, and taking “helicopter perspectives” of operations, systemisation, and approaches to business to identify opportunities for improvements and transformations.
TechHub will focus on technical development and evolution of cutting edge new ideas, innovations, and initiatives.
The new department will help Culina Group to grow, expand, and further build its reputation as a progressive market leader in UK Logistics and a company that seeks to continually optimise its service partnerships with clients.
Culina Group has established a powerful reputation as a high quality operator that will always focus on doing the best they can for every client on every contract chilled or ambient, large or small, complex or routine, intricate or simple. TechHub will help take this focus a stage further and will be a centre of excellence for ideation, innovation and initiation:
Ideation – developing ideas and concepts, the sequence of thoughts, from original concept to implementation
Innovation – defining a change or update that dramatically improves efficiency, productivity, or outcome, not just a change but a “game changer”
Initiative – making the first steps to taking a new concept from vision into reality
TechHub will be a dedicated centre of innovation where Culina Group will trial tools, processes and technologies to support and enable growth to become the UK’s most technologically advanced 3PL.
A “Matrix” Team is being established across the Culina Group business within which it will be everyone’s remit and responsibility to, innovate, and exploit new ideas, and to define exciting new concepts for the further evolution of Culina Group.
TechHub teams will meet with Culina Group business units to discuss ideas and how they can assist. There will be an on-going programme of incentives and rewards to maintain engagement and involvement.
The department will provide a dynamic and highly visible contribution to the evolution of Culina group. Development processes will be efficient and rapid. Trialing and implementation of agreed ideas will take place over a four to six week period to fully assess and prove/disprove any hypothesis.
The team will present rolling exhibits every few months to illustrate the contributions being made to the evolution of Culina Group and its businesses.
TechHub will be both physical and virtual, to bring creative and innovative people from across the business together. It will be a convenor and catalyst, providing space and support for innovation, business development and engagement within the technology space.
When a child acquires a brain injury it can have a devastating impact on all the family. Every year thousands of families are left without any support and often feel alone and with nowhere to turn to.
The Child Brain Injury Trust, www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk, offers support to families and professionals working with children and young people who find themselves in need of information about what’s happened and how to cope. They are there to listen and help with practical and emotional issues which may arise over time.
This Charity is particularly important to Fowler Welch as their support has been invaluable over the past year to Fowler Welch Washington colleague, Chris Harte. Chris’ young son, Nathan, was involved in a serious RTA involving a bus on 16th April 2021 and suffered severe injuries to his face and head. Although the outward injuries have healed, the impact of the brain injury that occurred has been life changing for Chris and his family.
Over the next year across the UK, Fowler Welch will be raising awareness and fundraising for this incredible charity, with a wide range of events and initiatives supported by local Fowler Welch Charity Champions.
The first “event” was an Easter Raffle across all the Fowler Welch depots!
Individually, two Fowler Welch colleagues are also undertaking serious sponsored challenges to raise important funds for this valuable cause. Oliver Warren will be running a Marathon, and Alan Ringrose, Stuart Gray and Neil King will be riding the C2C2C cycle challenge.
A wide range of other initiatives are currently evolving including a link up with Amazon offshoot – Amazon Smile, the setup of Sweet donation stations across Fowler Welch sites, a Fowler Welch Grant scheme to support CBIT special days, and high profile signage around Fowler Welch locations.
Stobart has recently won the “Co-op Environmental & Sustainability Warriors Award – 2021” awarded to “the Co-op supplier who has inspired change and delivered a project that has positively impacted the planet and promoted best practice”.
Throughout 2021 Stobart has actively partnered with Co-op to agree a measured ongoing Sustainability Road Map including a pipeline of key initiatives to be rolled out incrementally. The overall aim is for joint Stobart/Co-op operations to become more and more sustainable, through forensic governance and improved carbon efficiency management.
Three specific initiatives were implemented in 2021; a Carbon reporting process for inbound RDC deliveries enabling measurement of the environmental impact, introduction of Wedge Double Deck Trailers to carry more freight whilst at the same time reducing carbon emissions and, a review of one way backhaul trunking activity, utilising the extensive Stobart network to improve efficiency of the Co-op fleet.
A further pipeline of defined initiatives is currently in progress including a long-term project to review any further opportunities to transfer freight shipment from Road to Rail, along with an alternative fuel trial and a move to real time carbon emissions reporting.
“These important initiatives form part of the Stobart aim to be the most sustainable UK LSP”, said Stobart CEO, David Pickering.
“Through our collaboration with Co-op, we are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to delivering sustainable initiatives that positively impact the environment. The ongoing roadmap that we have developed, in collaboration with Co-op, forms a key cornerstone in a cultural change in our ways of working. We are committed to driving continuous improvement and sharing of best practice amongst all of our partners”.
Culina Group company Stobart Europe is hitting the New Year running with the establishment of an important new division – Stobart Multimodal.
Stobart Multimodal will offer a wide range of integrated specialist services including ambient and temperature controlled logistics solutions, road and rail transport to continental port of exit, export customs formalities, shipment to the UK, import customs clearances, and deliveries in to Culina Group locations.
Following the acquisition of Stobart Europe in the summer of 2021 Culina Group had a vision to establish a fully integrated supply chain and over the last six months have been working hard to make Stobart Multimodal a reality.
Accelerated development of the vision was prompted by the various unprecedented logistics challenges of 2021, including COVID, Brexit, and the evolving driver shortage. These challenges have been financially tough and time-consuming for many Culina Group customers. Significantly COVID exacerbated Brexit issues have frequently caused continental loads to arrive in to the UK late, sometimes leading to empty shelves in stores. The challenges confirmed to Culina Group that the time was right to develop the Stobart Multimodal concept.
“Well over 100,000 full loads are delivered into Culina Group warehouses from the continent each year and up until now we have had limited control over when goods would be arriving”, said Thomas Van Mourik – Culina Group CEO,
“Stobart Multimodal will address this. High-level logistics solutions will be offered and performance will be guaranteed, all backed up by emergency solutions in the form of Culina Group resources.
We will work with selected partners on specific corridors easing the pressure on our customers supply chains and limiting disruption to their operations.”
Leading the development of Stobart Multimodal is International Logistics Expert – Arthur Koutstaal. Arthur has nearly forty years’ experience in logistics and has worked in numerous operational positions for prominent businesses such as Geest North Sea Line (now part of Samskip), P&O Ferrymasters Zeebrugge, ECS European Containers, Koolwijk Logistics, and Move Intermodal.
“I am very pleased to welcome Arthur to the Culina Group business in the position of Senior Supply Chain Specialist for Stobart Multimodal”, said Thomas, “He has always had strong links with the UK and Ireland and has historically worked very closely with Culina Group delivering into our warehouses so knows our business well.”
Stobart Multimodal priorities going forward will be focused around infrastructure and IT whilst developing its network with strategic partners. Culina Group will also be looking at potential acquisitions that fit with the Stobart Multimodal business model as well as identifying appropriate investment opportunities.
We are a market leading logistics company, founded in 1994. There are several businesses that form Culina Group including Culina, Stobart, Stobart Europe, Fowler Welch, Great Bear, Warrens, CML, IPS, The Pallet Network, iForce, Logistics People and MMiD. These Group businesses cover four key service sectors, chilled and ambient warehousing and distribution, co-pack and resourcing.
Where are we located?
We have a nationwide network of depots across the UK and Ireland offering chilled, ambient and co-packing services, as well as warehousing space. To find your nearest depot please visit https://www.culina.co.uk/about-us/nationwide-network/
What are the entry criteria for the apprenticeship scheme?
When filtering candidates we complete the following checks:
Hold a valid full UK driving licence (manual Cat-B licence) with at least 6 months driving experience to qualify for the license acquisition and do not hold any driving LGV entitlements (Cat C or C+E)
Applicant must be over the age of 18
No DR or DD codes.
6 points maximum allowed.
Having a ‘can-do’ attitude and an appreciation of customer service are important qualities for us.
The ability to remain motivated whilst working alone is essential for a driving focused role.
Being an excellent team player is vital at Culina Group, as is the ability to communicate effectively with your colleagues.
For safety purposes, we do require our apprentices have a satisfactory medical assessment.
Will I need to complete functional skills training?
Unless the candidate already has a grade C or equivalent at GCSE Maths and English, they are required to complete functional skills assessments. Functional skills is taught and assessed by the training provider as part of the apprenticeship curriculum.
How long does the apprenticeship last?
The apprenticeship is 12 months and one day long, with an end point assessment (EPA) at 13 months. The EPA will be conducted by a third party assessor.
What does the apprenticeship involve?
This role is brand-new within the business, not only will you earn whilst you learn on our structured 13 month scheme, but on completion you will be guaranteed a permanent position. This amazing opportunity is not just a job, it will allow you to develop your skills and begin your journey towards a life-changing career.
Over the 13 months, you will be working towards becoming a fully-fledged member of our growing Driver team through work shadowing, ‘hands–on’ training and computer based learning.
Throughout the scheme, you will have the full support and guidance of fellow colleagues, trainers and our dedicated Apprenticeship Manager to help you grow and develop into an outstanding Logistics professional.
What are the key responsibilities of the role?
You will be responsible for collecting and delivering our customers’ products in line with our agreed service levels, whilst ensuring a professional service throughout.
You will be learning about the regulations surrounding Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs and Working Time legislation to ensure both compliance and safety standards are adhered to.
What are the Apprenticeship Scheme pay rates?
£350 per week, payable in arrears by credit transfer to your bank account at monthly intervals on or about the 25th day of each month.
On the satisfactory completion of your basic training programme and the achievement of your licence acquisition, your pay will increase in % increments during the first year of employment. These % increases will be based on the standard LGV Driver rate for the depot to which you are contracted to work at. The % increases are also specific to the group company you work for and the depot you are contracted to work at.
An example of the % increases are as follows:
Week 16- 24 = 80% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Week 25 – 33 = 90% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Week 34 – 52 = 95% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Week 53 = 100% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Where can I apply?
Please check out our current live vacancies via our Culina Careers website page by clicking the provided links below. From this page you can search for and apply directly for available vacancies that are local to your area.
At least two weeks before the assessment day is due to take place, candidates will be filtered for their suitability to the apprenticeship scheme.
If the candidate passes the filtering stage, they will then have a phone interview with the training provider, and subsequently invited to the assessment day.
During the assessment day, candidates will complete a variety of activities, including a driving assessment and group exercise. These exercises are designed to be a fun and informative experience to help the candidate decide whether a career as a driver is the right choice for them.
There will also be a more formal interview with the depot management. Following the assessment day, successful candidates will be contacted and sent contracts. Any unsuccessful candidates will also be contacted with an update.
What do I do while I wait for my provisional entitlement?
While you wait for your provisional entitlement, you will be completing lessons in preparation for your Theory and Hazard perception tests. During this period, you will also be exposed to as many aspects of the industry as is possible. We hope to give you a well-rounded insight into all areas while on the apprenticeship scheme, not just driving. This could include shadowing in the transport office, shadowing planners, or working in the warehouse.
As part of the apprenticeship, you will also need to complete ‘Off-the-job logs’. These logs must make up at least 20% of an apprentice’s normal working hours (paid hours excluding overtime) over the planned duration of the apprenticeship.
What will I be taught on the apprenticeship?
While enrolled in the apprenticeship, you will complete a series of masterclasses aimed to give you a better understanding of the logistics industry, as well as improving the knowledge you will need as a Class 1 driver.
You will also be scheduled time to shadow drivers on their runs. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions regarding how to drive the vehicle, as well as any other questions about the industry.
What benefits are there within Culina Group?
We offer:
Opportunities for personal progression, training and development
Competitive terms and conditions of employment
Employee feedback via employee Surveys
Cross depot project involvement
Effective H&S / Occupational Health Management
Customer interaction
Pension Scheme: If you qualify for the Company’s Group Personal Pension Scheme then this will be set out in your Letter of Appointment / Contract of Employment and the Company’s appointed Pensions Scheme Administrator will be in touch with you shortly.
Life assurance is provided by the Company and covers you whilst you are in employment of the Company, not just at work. You should nominate your beneficiaries using the form available from HR.
Culina Group Benefits Website: As part of our drive to make this a great place to work, we are now very pleased to offer you a wider choice of benefits which are now available in addition to the existing core benefits you enjoy. On your behalf we have negotiated special rates and discounts which should not only save you money, but will also be a source of general assistance and support via our HAPI Benefits.
What opportunities for personal progression are there within Culina Group?
When you join Culina Group you are given more than a job; you are given an exciting chance to become the best version of yourself. You are given a fantastic opportunity to progress within our ever expanding organisation.
We care massively about Culina Group colleagues’ growth and wellbeing. We seek to continually deliver the best training support and solutions possible right across the UK.
For dynamic Culina Group colleagues and ambitious prospective members of our growing UK team we offer a huge and continually expanding range of ad hoc, short and long term training and development support solutions across all aspects of our business.
The Culina Group Learning and Development Team of expert professionals develop and implement a comprehensive mix of e-learning, online courses, In house courses, Mentoring schemes, Apprenticeships, and Management Training Programmes for colleagues at every level within the Group.
Wherever you are, whether you are working in Transport and Logistics, Warehouse Operations or Fulfilment, Management or Administration we have many options and opportunities for you to progress your career.
Our wide range of e-learning programmes offers learning opportunities on diverse subjects such as IT, Confidence Building, Employment Law, Accounting, Coaching, GDPR, Financial Strategy and various Microsoft courses which are all readily available to use. Whether it’s to learn something new or to touch up on any existing skills, e-learning will provide you with all the information you require.
Our Mentoring Schemes offer formal on-going support for Mentees to build towards their career aspirations. Mentors and mentees are paired up based on desired experience for a 12-month period.
Culina Group is committed to recruiting and developing the stars of tomorrow through our Apprentice Programmes which allows the opportunity to gain relevant qualifications while learning on the job.
Our 12 month LEAD (Leadership, Exploration, Ability, and Development) programmes for all management levels are bespoke to Culina Group. LEAD 1 – Leading a Team – for First Tier Management, LEAD 2 – Leading Leaders – for Middle Management, and LEAD 3 – Leading a Business – for Senior Management.
At Culina Group every colleague receives a Personal Development Plan each year. Your Personal Development Plan allows you to discuss your individual development needs and how best Culina Group can help you to achieve your goals within the company.
In the last five years Culina Group has grown tenfold in size. We now offer huge opportunities for ambitious people to grow and progress.
We will provide encouragement and support to ensure that you fulfil your potential no matter where you are or what area of our business you work in.
If you give 100% whilst displaying a diligent and customer focused attitude, then the sky is the limit for you at Culina Group.
To discuss specific training solutions please contact your Learning and Development Advisor or to book on an internal Learning and Development Course please contact Julia.clarke@culina.co.uk
Like what you have read? Culina Group can get you where you want to be in your career. Join our winning team by visiting www.culinacareers.co.uk and begin your journey to the best possible you today.
Fowler Welch Charity Roundup of 2020, Parkinson’s UK
When Charity gets Personal
Fundraising during a global pandemic presents more than a few challenges, but this wasn’t enough to put off a very determined Pat Newton from raising funds for a charity which really is close to her heart. Pat, who was diagnosed with the idiopathic strain of Parkinson’s in 2016, set about organising a calendar of fundraising events. Sadly, as most of these were large-scale national events, they were cancelled, and Pat had to go back to the drawing board to rethink her plans.
Getting Active
As a member of the Parkinson’s UK support pages on social media, she saw an article called “Time to get active for Parkinson’s” – with all other fundraising opportunities side-lined, she knew she just had to take part.
The event offered up 3 options to help get people active and raise much needed funds for the charity; a cycle ride, a walking challenge, or people could design their own challenge to complete based on their ability.
Pat decided to take on the cycling event which would see her bike over 200 miles across the month.
The dates were set as September 1st-30th, but with bad weather forecast for the end of the month, Pat pushed herself to complete the challenge in just 18 days, taking a combined total of 21 hours and 13 minutes to cycle 322.88km.
“The toughest part was making sure I had the energy (and daylight) to complete my planned miles each day. I knew the only way to get it done would be to bike to and from work each day. I had to get the miles in early so that I was biking in safe conditions, making sure I stayed off the main roads where possible.”Pat Newton
Emma’s Ultimate Step Challenge
Not content with cycling 54 miles in local cycling event, Bourne CiCLE, in August; completing the Grantham Newtons Fraction Half Marathon a mere week later and then running the London Parks Half Marathon in October (with additional training through the year!), 2020 held a greater challenge for charity champion, Emma Shorrock.
What started out as a musing ‘is it possible?’, became a personal challenge when Emma pledged to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, EVERY DAY, come rain, hail, snow and sunshine, not just for a month, but for the whole year.
A Real Team Effort for January
While many people began the New Year in a post-turkey glut, Emma started the challenge on New Year’s Day in Cologne, taking part in an organised Park Run. What a great way to start the year! Emma was supported through January by a number of colleagues across Fowler Welch who were taking part in the monthly 10,000 steps challenge to get moving through a notoriously difficult month. As February approached, Emma was 31 days into the challenge with 492,658 steps under her belt, but WASN’T the winner of the monthly challenge – that accolade went to Simon Deykin (Business System Support Analyst) who reached an incredible 692,487 steps in the month, topping 63,721 in a single day.
31 days down, 335 to go…
335 still to go, it was, after all, a leap year! February brought its own challenges. With a snowboarding holiday already booked, Emma had to find inventive ways to making sure she hit her daily target before hitting the slopes. Travel days were arguably the hardest, spending days at a time on coaches and in airports, other passengers were certainly intrigued by her, as she walked the equivalent of 5 miles at a time doing laps of airport lounges.
Challenges of a National Lockdown
So to March, and the start of the imposed lockdown in the UK. Being allowed to venture outside only once a day for exercise meant that every step really would count. As the Company implemented measures to safeguard colleagues across the business and adhere to Government guidelines, Emma was asked to work remotely. This meant before sitting down to her new home workstation every morning, she would need to run 4 miles to hit her daily target. After all, there’s only so many times you can walk up and down the stairs.
Not the Amsterdam Marathon…
With colleagues joining in with monthly challenges again in April and July, combined with longer days and warmer weather, the challenge became easier as the summer months brought with them an ease in Government restrictions on outdoor excursions. Hoping to run the Amsterdam Marathon in October, Emma’s training increased, and the 10,000 steps were soon a distant memory, often exceeding double the initial target.
Sadly, as the world was still finding ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the event in Amsterdam was cancelled. Undeterred, Emma and partner John decided to run their own event, “Not the Amsterdam Marathon”, through the country roads near their home. They were joined by fellow Fowler Welch colleague and reigning monthly step challenge champion, Simon Deykin.
Final Push
As the Country headed once again into a National lockdown, nights drew in, the warmer weather was long forgotten and Emma was down to the final 2 months of her challenge. With training for the marathon also over, it became more of a chore to complete the daily 10,000 steps but incredibly, and in line with her promise “come rain, hail or snow” (all of which were encountered) Emma completed the challenge and on New Year’s Day took a well earned break – although still walked over 10,000 steps!
So far, Pat & Emma have raised over £2,000 and donations are still coming in. If you would like to make a donation, please e-mail marketing@fowlerwelch.co.uk and the team will send details of how to make a safe and secure donation.
Support Beyond Fundraising
With so many fundraising events cancelled, Fowler Welch had to think outside of the box in order to support their nominated charity.
Having contacted the team at Parkinson’s UK, they were struggling with fundraising but also having sufficient PPE and sanitisers to allow their workers and volunteers to continue to provide their support services safely, taking all appropriate precautions. Having procured face masks, hand sanitiser and gloves for colleagues Fowler Welch were in a great position to help, donating some of their stocks to Parkinson’s UK for them to use across their network.
While this support was gratefully received, fundraising to support the charity is still high on the company’s agenda, and with this in mind, Fowler Welch will continue to support Parkinson’s UK through 2021, where we all hope normal activities and group events can return.
Get Involved
If you have a fundraising event in mind or would like to get involved e-mail marketing@fowlerwelch.co.uk
As one of the smallest depots within the Culina Group family, the efforts of the team at Great Bear Melksam are anything but small. With just 42 colleagues keeping the cogs of the 24/7 operation turning, that’s 42 big hearts going all-out with their charity endeavours.
This year, the depot has focused on 2 main charities; Melksham Food Bank and Designability (in particular their Wizzybug project), whilst maintaining their ongoing fundraising efforts for Macmillan Cancer Support with their annual Coffee Morning.
Throughout October and November, colleagues have donated ambient food items to Melksham Foodbank. The foodbank is there to provide practical, short-term help for individuals and families in need by offering food parcels with 3 days of food essentials. They also introduce those in need with the necessary advice and support services to help resolve issues in the long term. More information about the services offered and how you can get involved can be found at; melkshamfoodbank.org.uk
Whilst COVID has impacted some of the traditional fundraising pursuits, there have been plenty of fun activities throughout the year which have raised funds for national charity Designability for their Wizzybug project. Wizzybugg is an innovative powered wheelchair designed specifically for children under five who are living with cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, spina bifida or muscular dystrophy, as well as children with amputations or a rare developmental delay affecting their ability to walk.
Stock Controller, Sue Whiteford led the fundraising efforts by completing the Virtual London Marathon 2020 – having completed the main events in both 2018 and 2019. Other fundraising events included; ‘Guess the number of Easter eggs’, Easter raffle, selling sweet bags and are currently having a Christmas card sale.
You can find out more about the charity and the impact of the Wizzybug project by visiting; designability.org.uk
The Macmillan Coffee Morning is an annual event that is always popular at the site. People get involved in a number of ways from baking cakes and goodies themselves to donating tea and coffee to accompany the tasty treats. Others help with running the event on the day, donning their best salesperson impression and drumming up trade; it’s always a successful event and enjoyed by everyone. This year the event managed to raise £107 bringing the total raised through this event in five years to over £1250 for such a worthwhile cause.
If you’d like to donate to any of these causes, or if you have fundraising idea, please get in touch by emailing natalie.peacock@greatbear.co.uk
2020 has been a year like no other with COVID-19 disrupting lives and businesses across the globe. Never has charity fundraising been so important – or so difficult.
Great Bear Kettering had to think outside of the box in order to generate much needed funds for their 2 chosen charities of the year – The Trussell Trust and Cransley Hospice Trust.
The Trussell Trust aims to end hunger and poverty in the UK. By supporting a nationwide network of foodbanks, the charity provides not only emergency food but much needed support services to people locked in poverty whilst campaigning for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.The Cransley Hospice Trust provides care for patients with life-limiting illnesses who need the specialist help of hospice care in North Northamptonshire. Their services are provided free of charge for the local community, offering care and support wherever needed, be that in the patient’s own home, a care home or within a hospice.
Large scale fundraising challenges have had to be postponed or cancelled due to ongoing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 along with ensuring we do everything we can to keep our colleagues and their families safe. Smaller scale activities have however proved ever popular, with ‘dress down days’, raffles and the all-important “The Great Great Bear Bake Off” raising a staggering £1,621 to date.
Supporting charities isn’t all about fundraising. Whilst it’s undeniable that charities rely on fundraising initiatives to support their work, sometimes we can look a little closer to home and towards our own areas of expertise to help. Earlier in the year, the Trussell Trust approached the team at Great Bear to help them procure much needed storage space – as experts in the ambient storage world, we were on hand to offer a suitable solution that provided an element of free storage for the charity along with a heavily discounted rate for the future. Some of the monies raised to date from fundraising initiatives have then been used to pay for the additional rental costs for the storage space, allowing the charity to concentrate on their core activities.
You can read more about the charities and the impact of your fundraising by visiting their websites:
www.cransleyhospice.org.uk
www.trusselltrust.org
If you have a fundraising idea for these charities or would like to get involved with future events, please contact Kate Collins (kate.collins@greatbear.co.uk) or Carole Elliot (carole.elliot@greatbear.co.uk)
Contact us today
If you have any questions about any of the vacancies available or would like to make an enquiry, please get in touch
