Letting people shine

This year’s Ops Fundraising Challenge is well underway and colleagues up and down the country have been doing their utmost to raise as much money as possible for Action for Children’s internationally acclaimed mental health initiative, the Blues Programme.

The Ops Challenge is a great way for colleagues across the business to come together in a fun and engaging way, helping to promote team building, networking and personal development opportunities. What’s more, you’ll be helping to raise awareness of mental health issues affecting young people and raising money to enable children across the UK get the support they need.

The money you help raise through the Ops Challenge, and Royal Mail's penny for penny matched giving scheme, will be directly invested into the Blues Programme.

Actor, Neil Morrisey, had some words of encouragement for all our teams out there: ‘It’s great to see so many Royal Mail colleagues getting behind this important cause – I share your passion for the work that Action for Children are doing. The Blues Programme will help thousands of young people increase their mental and emotional wellbeing.’

Remember, there are a number of awards up for grabs, including the overall Ops Challenge winner, the most original fundraising idea and the team with the biggest fundraising per head increase.

Last year’s Ops Challenge double winner, Parcelforce Worldwide, raised an incredible £48,000. Louise Brinklow, Parcelforce Worldwide PA to the operations director, said: ‘The thing that I enjoyed the most was getting to know people in the business! The challenge definitely helped bring colleagues together and let people shine!’

Service delivery leader Tony Bicknell, from Greenford Mail Centre, ran the London marathon for Action for Children. ‘I decided 18 months ago to run the London Marathon for Action for Children, as I really believed in the great work they do to give children the support and opportunities they deserve.

‘Unfortunately, I suffered an injury towards the end of my training, which stopped me running in the 2018 event. Instead I ran the Kew marathon that September, which kept all of my sponsors on board, raising around £4,000, including matched funding.

‘I was lucky enough to defer my place to this year, and completed the marathon after many months of training. It was particularly testing as I’m not getting any younger, and I’m certain it will be my last full marathon. In terms of fundraising I’m hoping to secure approx. £5,000 including matched funding, and I really appreciate the support the many colleagues, family and friends have given me.’

New for 2019 Op Challenge

• Car air fresheners – our brilliant blue post box is making a return. Why not order our car air fresheners for your delivery office? At £2 each, this is the perfect way to make your private car or van smell great, while also hitting your Ops Challenge target!
• Certificates – we know that we have some incredible fundraising going on over the next few months, so when you’ve hit £500, £1,000, £2,500 or £5,000 let the team know at Action for Children and they will send a certificate over to you. Can you collect all four!?

For further information, or any support with fundraising please email royal.mail@actionforchildren.org.uk

To get involved in the 2019 Ops Challenge and learn more about fundraising ideas for you and your colleagues visit myroyalmail.com/opschallenge. You can also click here to sign up to raise money through a Free Space challenge event.