Charity of the Year
One way you can help St Michael's is to make us your ‘Charity of the Year'. In 2006 John Goodwin Estate Agency did just that and set themselves an initial target of £10,000.
John Goodwin Estate Agency - Case Study
Established in 1981, John Goodwin Estate Agency is a general practice firm offering a professional service for residential and commercial sales and lettings based around the border areas of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
2006 saw the business celebrate its Silver Anniversary. John Goodwin says"... it seemed the ideal opportunity to use this landmark year positively. We wanted to raise funds for a local charity and St Michael's ticked all the right boxes. Many of our clients and some members of staff have had involvement with the Hospice in some form or another and all have been impressed by the serenity and dignity of this much needed local resource."
Anniversary fundraising started in January with enthusiastic and unanimous support from staff. The first major event the business took part in was the Hospice's annual Fun Run on May 7th. A team of 20 comprising staff and their families entered representing over 50% of the workforce and they raised over £4,000. Sponsors and donors were encouraged to pledge generous amounts knowing that John Goodwin had agreed to match the amount of money raised. John Goodwin commented, "The day was an excellent start to our fund raising activities and created a good feeling of team spirit which spread across each of our four offices."
"The fundraising has however had many benefits other than just in terms of team building. It has given members of staff the opportunity to become involved in different roles through the organisation, administration and financial management, but it has also helped to provide everyone with a different sense of purpose which has been greatly beneficial."
At the end of May the firm arranged a Golf Day at the Worcestershire Golf Club, Malvern and they also held a silver anniversary party at The Downs School, Colwall in September. In common with many businesses, John Goodwin has found that one of the main challenges of pledging support to a charity such as St Michael's is coming up with appropriate fundraising ideas. However it is not something they have to face alone; Richard Shackelford, the Hospice's Head of Fundraising says "...we are always ready to help with ideas or provide support where we can and are just a phone call away."
John Goodwin says "I believe our clients, colleagues and supporters have responded so positively because they have felt that celebrating a business anniversary is such a worthwhile way of raising funds for charity."
If you would like to make St Michael's your Charity of the Year or would like further information on fundraising in your organisation please call Geraldine Rose, Head of Marketing & Fundraising on 01432 851000.
