As 2022 draws to a close, DLRC have been reflecting on the charitable events hosted over the year. A fantastic amount of money has been raised for a variety of good causes, with DLRC team members taking part in a number of activities throughout the year.

Jo Budge, Head of DLRC’s Charities Committee commented:

‘The Charities Committee work hard to support a wide range of charities throughout the year. It’s great fun thinking up ways to raise money, and gives us opportunities for social events, competitions and initiatives, all whilst raising awareness for good causes.’

DLRC contribute to their chosen charities through Just Giving pages, all of which can be found here.

2022’s charities included:

Blue Cross

In January 2022 DLRC supported Blue Cross, an animal welfare charity in the UK.

DLRC raised £450 by taking part in ‘bring a pet to work day’ and a funniest pet photo competition, with a bag of dog treats for the winner. The proceeds of which go towards animal veterinary treatment, rehoming and owner support across the UK.

Submissions included:

 

British Heart Foundation

In February 2022 DLRC ran a British Heart Foundation (BHF) raffle.

This great charity raises funds for ground-breaking research into cures for those suffering from heart conditions. This heart and love themed raffle featured an extra special prize for the raffle winner on valentines day – a romantic dinner for two. The event enabled DLRC to raised £380 for the charity.

 

The Garden House Hospice – Charlie Chicks

March/April saw DLRC’s annual contribution to the Charlie Chicks Campaign.

DLRC bought 12,000 crème eggs which were stuffed into knitted chicks and sold locally and in the DLRC offices for the Garden House Hospice. The Garden House Hospice Care provides free specialist palliative care for patients, families and carers facing life limiting illnesses, serving a population of around 230,000 people. The Garden House Hospice is a cause DLRC supports every year.

The Garden House Hospice thanked DLRC for their contribution, noting:

‘DRLC have been supporting our Charlie Chicks Campaign for the last 3 years, by donating over 30,000  Cadbury cream eggs, which has raised over £35,000.00.  This has made a huge difference to the lives of our patients and their families which we care for in the community.

This has made a huge impact, bringing together the whole community, with over 12,0000 Charlie Chicks being knitted by the local community, stuffed and distributed for sale to over 500 different locations across North Hertfordshire and surrounding villages,  which includes Schools, local businesses and community groups.

Without the incredible support from DLRC we wouldn’t have been able to raise so much  money and bring together the whole community.  The money their support has helped the Hospice to  raise through the Charlie Chicks Campaign  over the last 3 years,  has paid for 4 ½ days of the  full running costs of the Hospice.

From the patients and their families we thank them.’

 

MIND

In May DLRC ran a ‘Guess the Baby’ staff photo competition, as well as hosting an evening pub quiz to raise money for MIND.

MIND provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. DLRC’s fundraisers raised £151 for the charity.

 

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

In July DLRC created a recipe book for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

DLRC’s team members chose and put together their favourite recipes, from family favourites to quick mid-week meals to create a complete recipe book. The recipe book raised £195, which will go towards providing a free life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured of Essex, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

 

Garden House Hospice – Starlight Walk

In August DLRC invited staff to take part in the Starlight Walk for Garden House Hospice. DLRC sponsored all staff who entered the Starlight Walk, raising over £1,100.

 

Genetic Disorders UK

In September we raised money for Jeans4Genes and raised £317.

DLRC fundraised for Jeans for Genes to help raise money for Genetic Disorders UK by wearing our jeans and J4G T-shirts in the office. The event to raises money to make a difference for children affected by genetic conditions.

 

Crisis

In November DLRC took part in Christmas Jumper Day and planned to host a Winter Olympics to raise money for Crisis at Christmas.

Crisis is a national charity for people experiencing homelessness. They help people directly out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether. Crisis at Christmas is their annual campaign to offer much needed warmth, healthcare, food and company to people experiencing homelessness at Christmas time.

Christmas Jumper Day saw all DLRC staff don their Christmas jumpers, from full Christmas print suits, to light-up jumpers. The day raised over £1,200 for Crisis, of which every £29.07 raised could give someone a Crisis Christmas.

Unfortunately the Winter Olympics had to be postponed to January 2023 due to unforeseen circumstances, however the event has already started to raise funds.

DLRC also collected donations for the homeless and Crisis charity shops throughout December, and then paid for the donations to be taken to the Crisis depot in East London to be distributed. This means Crisis can then collect further funds from the items sold.

 

Health Awareness Sessions

DLRC donate £250 to every charity throughout the year who run Health Awareness sessions at DLRC, this year that has included:

• The Linda Norgrove Foundation
• Stroke Association
• Prevent Breast cancer
• SKcin – Skin cancer Charity
• Tilehouse Young Persons Mental health
• Pain Relief Foundation
• UK Cervical cancer
• Diabetes UK
• Arthritis Action
• Alcohol Change
• MS Society
• The Mirgaine Trust
• Street Scene Addiction
• ME Association
• Herts Young Homeless – HYH
• PoTS

 

The Health Awareness sessions create awareness for each cause, and educate DLRC staff on the work they do and how they can get involved.

 

Employee Charity Contributions

In addition to the charities selected by the charities committee through a voting system, DLRC are aways looking for additional ways to make charitable contributions, and to encourage their employees to do the same.

One way DLRC achieves this is by offering one day a year to each employee to do complete charity or volunteering work of their choice. In addition, DLRC have a Charitable Giving policy, where staff members can raise funds for their own personal charity, and DLRC will match their fundraising to a max of £250.

 

What’s to Come in 2023

The Charities Committee have plenty of great ideas to keep DLRC staff entertained throughout 2023. These will highlighting topics not everyone is aware of, whilst raising money and having some fun. The charities these will support include but are not limited to:

• British Heart Foundation
• Garden House Hospice
• MacMillan
• Alcohol Change
• Jeans for Genes
• Herts Young Homeless
• Movember
• Crisis this Christmas

 

DLRC takes this opportunity to give thanks to all who have taken part in their fundraising efforts over 2022, and look forward to creating an even bigger charitable impact in 2023.

If you are a charity DLRC may be able to support please contact the Head of the Charities Committee Jo Budge via Jo.budge@dlrc.co.uk or use the contact form below. DLRC is always on the lookout for causes to support, as well as welcoming awareness sessions, events etc wherever possible.