Major charity says 'thank you' to Black Country business for raising £5m to help vulnerable children
Marathons, mountain hikes and baked beans baths are among the gruelling sponsored capers taken on by workers at a Black Country retail company to raise a mammoth £5 million for a children's charity.
Staff at Willenhall's A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd raised the sum in aid of the vital safeguarding and listening ear service NSPCC over an 18-year period.
The cash has been used to support key services including Childline, a helpline for adults concerned about a child’s wellbeing and the Speak out, Stay safe programme which helps children to recognise abuse, plus the Home or Out Alone initiative which guides parents on whether their child is ready to be left home alone.
Fundraising efforts by staff members at the business in the two decades of the partnership have included marathons, hikes up Snowdon and Everest and bathing in baked beans.
Highlights included a trip to Mount Everest base camp by former store manager Stacey Aitken-Best four years ago which raised more than £1,000 and the fundraising 16th anniversary Sweet Sixteen campaign which raised £35,200. A final 18th birthday project based on a number five theme, such as sponsored 5k runs, was also held culminating with an award ceremony to reward the top fundraisers over the two decades.
The charity said the 18th anniversary of the partnership was particularly significant as it is the duration of childhood.
NSPCC fundraising director Jo Swinhoe says: "The 18-year partnership between Blakemore Retail and the NSPCC has been nothing short of remarkable, we cannot thank them enough. Not only is the amount of money that has been raised fantastic, but the methods in which it was generated were truly wonderful.
“We were delighted to see the variety of store fundraisers that took part, including daring skydives, sliming, numerous fancy dress days and even sitting in a bathtub of beans. Child abuse knows no bounds and with a child reaching out to Childline every 45 seconds Blakemore Retail’s support has been vital.”
Blakemore Stores operations director Chris Bacon adds: “We haves been supporting the NSPCC for 18 years, and it’s been great to see the impact we’ve had. Community is at the heart of everything we do as a business, and supporting the NSPCC has given us an incredible opportunity to serve those communities across the UK.”
Adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline at [email protected] or phone 0808 800 5000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk.
Founded in 1917 Blakemore's in Longacres Industrial Estate, in Rose Hill, operates a number of businesses including Spar stores, Philpotts, Fresh Foods, Foodservice, wholesale distribution and shop fitting.
The company employs more than 6,000 people and has a turnover of about £1.2 billion and has supported many good causes in the region including churches and children safety projects.