Raising the bar
Colleagues in Home Counties South (HCS) have now raised more than £20,000 for our in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund (RHF).
Teams from throughout HCS have not only raised the bar when it comes to fundraising for the RHF this year, they seem to have taken the bar home with them, sold it for scrap and added the gains to their already huge fundraising total, writes Peter Kirby.
Via a series of fundraising events held throughout the area, colleagues decided to raise money for the RHF as a thank you for all the support the Fund provided to HCS colleagues during the first wave of the pandemic.
Area leadership team support manager, Jon Snelling, said: ‘We held a raffle and tickets were sold over two weeks. We already had some amazing prizes, including afternoon tea up the Shard in London, and an Aston Martin “Blast” Day.
‘The CMA/Unite Kingston Branch donated a £250 cash prize to be paid to one lucky winner in the form of a cheque.’
Mark Haughton, Earls Court and West Brompton delivery office manager donated his luxury caravan for a week-long holiday for six people next summer worth £1,000.
‘I just want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone in Home Counties South for raising so much money for the Rowland Hill Fund,’ said Jon.
Service delivery leader, Tim Mayes, added: ‘I’m really delighted with the efforts of the team. I’m certainly gobsmacked, I didn’t expect we would get anywhere near that amount. Really well done to everyone.’
Chief operating officer Achim Dünnwald, also praised the team: ‘This is awesome,’ he said. ‘Thank you very much for your engagement and the large amount of money raised for the Fund.’
Rowland Hill Fund co-ordinator, Shan Lawrence, added: ‘This year, our beneficiaries have needed us more than ever and we have been delighted to help all those who have needed our support.
‘Fundraising is essential for us to continue our work. We are so grateful to HCS for the phenomenal amount raised and send a big virtual hug to all those who got involved. We’ve been smiling from ear-to-ear since we heard about this total – thank you so much!’
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic the RHF has seen many more applications for financial assistance than usual, with varying degrees of help needed.
The Fund helped a number of colleagues who had to stay at home to shield for themselves or family members due to coronavirus. In these cases, the RHF made weekly charitable donations to colleagues and continued to provide support for other financial challenges, such as bill arrears, mortgage payments, rent, disability aids for adults and children, funeral expenses and more.
For more information on how the Fund can offer financial help to colleagues, Royal Mail Group pensioners and their families, visit www.rowlandhillfund.org or call the confidential helpline on 0345 600 4586.
