Here at Bury Business Group we’ve always done what we could to support local charities. As part of that we have always offered a sponsored place to a local charity, whereby a representative/volunteer could attend, at no charge to the charity, and help raise awareness of what they do.
This charity then becomes our chosen group charity, which we not only support through the membership, but in as many ways as possible. Our chosen charity at the moment is The Buddy Bag Foundation, and is represented by Heather Gordon, who is a volunteer.
For example, we’ve introduced a “penalty” for members who go over their allotted 60 second time allowance. Anyone who is overenthusiastic with their pitches is asked to pay their £1 contribution to the charity tub, which is then handed over every quarter. The penalty doubles for every additional 20 seconds gone over (though, no one has actually exceed by this much so far!).
We also do what we can as a group to support any events this charity puts on. For example, on Friday, 25th January 2019, Heather has arranged for a charity lunch to take place at The Clarence in Bury. This event costs £40 per head, and will include a four course meal and entertainment in the form of singer Tony Finbarr-Smith.
To find out more information about the charity lunch event taking place in January, and secure your place, by CLICKING HERE.
As a group we have already purchased a number of tickets; however, individual members are all supporting by buying their own tickets. Equally though, our members will be contributing what they can in the way of raffle prizes, and it’s our aim to raise as much awareness as possible, not only of this event, but of the charity as a whole.
The Buddy Bag Foundation
The Buddy Bag Foundation was founded in 2014 when Karen Williams was inspired by the work of The Allanah and Madeline Foundation in Australia, and set up her own Buddy Bag scheme here in the UK.
The aim of the Foundation is to provide children who are fleeing domestic abuse and unsafe conditions and entering emergency accommodation with the essential items they need. Often these children are taken into safety whilst at school, and therefore have nothing with them except what they are currently wearing.
The Buddy Bags provide them with something that is entirely their own, and includes things such as toiletries, socks, nightwear and a teddy bear. Sadly, for many, this is the first time these children will ever own anything of their own. The Buddy Bags are tailored to suit babies and children according to age groups and gender and cater specifically for children aged 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-16 years old.
The costs
The Buddy Bag Foundation is proud of the fact that 100% of donations are used to purchase the bags and all the items to go in them. Everything else is either paid for or performed by volunteers, or donated. Even the stationery!
However, each bag costs £25 – and bags are packed in groups of 180. That means £4,500 is needed before a Brigade can be run.
Here at Bury Business Group it’s our aim to help support Heather, and the charity, to ensure that this money is raised, so we can help pack these much needed bags, and deliver them to where they’re needed, throughout the North West.
To find out more about the charity, and how you can support them, please check out their website: CLICK HERE.
You can also find out more information about the charity lunch event taking place in January, and secure your place, by CLICKING HERE. We look forward to seeing you there.