News
Business leaders breathe fire into charity challenge
Wednesday 20 June 2012
Top Scottish business leaders are lending their support to CHILDREN 1ST to create the ultimate corporate charity challenge for those with fire in their belly – Dragons’ Glen.
Michelle Mone OBE, Frank Blin CBE, Sir William Haughey, Ken Lewandowski, Mike Welch, Judy Wagner and Michael Laing OBE will form two panels to oversee the Dragons’ Glen Scottish Business Challenge. As the search was launched for teams today they called on companies across the nation to take up this great opportunity.
Michelle Mone OBE, founder of international lingerie brand, Ultimo, said: “This is a great way to demonstrate your company’s social responsibility and gain new opportunities to network across business sectors, so please sign up.”
Teams of up to 10 people will compete against each other to see who can come up with the most enterprising way to transform £500 into £5,000 or more within four months. Every £5,000 raised could help CHILDREN 1ST to provide 150 hours of counselling for children recovering from abuse, or answer 75 calls to their ParentLine service.
Frank Blin CBE, Executive Chairman of PwC in Scotland, said: “To be successful in this challenge, teams will have to use every business skill, from establishing a team and project managing through to negotiating and delivering a business plan. The challenge provides a fantastic opportunity to build skills, network with other businesses and raise your company’s profile.”
The challenge kicks off in August when participants get stuck into some team building sessions. Then it’s onto the all-important formal pitch to the Dragons, the roll out of each team plan and the final award ceremony in January 2013.
Sir William Haughey, Founder and CEO of City Refrigeration Holdings, said: “This is a fantastic initiative because every penny of the money raised will go towards creating a much brighter, happier, healthier and secure childhood from some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and their families. No matter where in Scotland your company is based you can be sure that CHILDREN 1ST will be providing support through their 39 local services or three national services. Sign your team up now!”
Ken Lewandowski, Local Chairman of Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh, said: “This is one of the few fundraising initiatives specifically designed to build business skills. This challenge delivers at all levels – development for team members, development of entrepreneurial spirit within companies and not least, the development of funding streams for the vital work of CHILDREN 1ST.”
Mike Welch, Founder and CEO of Blackcircles.com, said: “I set up my first business originally with a grant for £500 so it is entirely possible that teams could go far in this challenge if they have a robust business plan and develop a strong team to implement it.”
The first space has already been taken by O2, so to book your place please get in touch with Ellie Maizels, CHILDREN 1ST Corporate Fundraising Development Manager. Please call 0131 319 8069 or email corporate@children1st.org.uk.
Last updated: Thursday 9 August 2012
