Amy Douglass, Piroto’s Business Support Administrator, has been catching up with the beneficiaries of donations made following the ‘Spring into Summer Step Count Team Challenge.’
The campaign saw Piroto staff clock up an impressive 30 million steps over the summer, and the company donate over £10,000 to a selection of local charities.
How were the charities chosen?
Amy explained, ‘Each year Piroto staff are given the opportunity to nominate a local charity that they would like to see any donations go to. A company-wide vote is then taken, and the most popular charities are selected.’
‘It’s a good way to get everyone involved in our fund-raising efforts. I think it makes everyone feel that they can make a real difference to a cause close to their hearts.’
Which charities benefited?
A total of eight local charities were chosen to receive a share of the company donation. They included the Daylight Centre, who help people facing complex personal challenges such as mental health issues, substance abuse and homelessness, Cynthia Spencer hospice, Mind, the Stroke Association and the Association for the Blind.
Carina, the Chief Executive of the Daylight Centre explained that, during the peak of the pandemic, the charity saw a huge increase in the number of people seeking their help. She went on to say that the money donated by Piroto will go into two new projects. First, an opportunity for their clients to start farming a newly acquired plot of land. Plus, a chance to learn new skills in the centre’s kitchen.
Nina, Cynthia Spencer’s Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser, was not only delighted with the donation, but also that it was the first face to face presentation since the pandemic began!
Nina told us that they will be using the Piroto Step Count Challenge as a case study in their next newsletter to try to encourage other companies for set up similar challenges.
It was a pleasure to meet Nick from Northamptonshire Mind who came in to discuss the fantastic work the charity is involved in.
Like many charities, Northamptonshire Mind have had their resources stretched throughout the pandemic. It is great to see that our donations will help towards creating a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all, and that treats people with experience of mental distress, fairly, positively, and with respect.
It was great to meet Hugh, Esther, and Rachel from Northampton Association for the Blind. The charity provides advice, support, and products to help visually impaired people live life to the full.
It’s a shocking fact that 64% of people with a visual impairment experienced a decline in their mental health during the pandemic. Our donation will support NABs work to help the most vulnerable and isolated in our community.
We hope to be able to catch up with the other beneficiaries over the coming months to hear how they’ll be using the money.
Supporting our local community continues to be an important value here at Piroto and we hope to inspire other companies, however large or small, to do their bit.