We've raised a brilliant £22,000 for our two corporate charities, Action on Dementia Sunderland and St Benedict’s Hospice.
The two Sunderland-based charities have been our nominated charities for both 2020 and 2021 following a vote from our 1000-strong workforce.
Over the two years, our colleagues have raised a phenomenal £40,000 for the two charities through fundraising activities in our offices and depots, including coffee mornings and auctions, as well as an extremely popular monthly payroll deduction scheme.
As a business rooted in Sunderland, our corporate charities spend 100% of their funds in the city meaning the fundraising will benefit local residents and communities. The money raised will help to support the outstanding frontline services provided by both charities, including care during illness and social activities for those with dementia and their families’.
Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive at Gentoo Group, said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved over the last two years for our charities and fundraising. Even when living and working in such uncertain circumstances, colleagues have been able to raise a phenomenal amount of money that will be of huge benefit to the charities.
“It’s been a privilege to support these vital local charities who provide such important services to residents for the last two years and and we wish them all the best for 2022.”
Elizabeth Lerpiniere, Community Fundraising Manager at St Benedict’s Hospice, said: “Everyone at St Benedict's Hospice has been blown away by the generosity of all at Gentoo! We rely on donations to be able to continue to provide a level of specialist care for our patients and their families, so a donation of this size makes such a difference to us. We are incredibly grateful to each and every person who has contributed, thank you”
Ernie Thompson, Chair of Action on Dementia Sunderland, said: “We can’t thank Gentoo enough for its support and generosity again this year. This is a huge amount of money and by far our biggest donation of the year. Our charity’s purpose is to provide people suffering from dementia and their carers, with a physical support network.
“Sadly, for much of the year we were not able to support any of our clients in person, and even later in the year, we could only do so to a limited extent, due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 restrictions. These vital funds will help us to keep the charity running and to ensure it can continue providing much needed personal support to our clients.”
Each year, our colleagues nominate and vote for its corporate charities. An announcement will be made in early 2022.
To find out more about Action on Dementia Sunderland, visit: https://www.actionondementiasunderland.co.uk/
To find out more about St Benedict’s Hospice, visit: https://www.stbenedicts.co.uk/
