Robert Walters Group UK has named the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity as its official UK charity for 2019.
The charity supports under 5s with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments – focusing on helping children to realise their full potential.
The bulk of fundraising for the charity will take place on the Group’s annual Charity Day, taking place on Friday 11 October 2019.
All 400 of Robert Walters Group UK employees – across London, the South East, Midlands and the North West – will be taking a break from work for the day and will be tasked with raising as much money as possible for the charity.
Last year fundraising activities included a non-stop 24hr cycle, a walk from St Albans to London, bake sales, all the way through to leg waxing for gents, pie in the face, and a chicken nugget eating competition.
£35,213 was raised and donated towards 2018’s chosen charity Cancer Research UK. Globally, across 28 countries, £145,984 was raised in one day for local charities and community projects. Over the last seven years, the Robert Walters Group has raised over £800,000 for causes globally.
Richard Johnson, Principal at Robert Walters, shares why this year’s chosen charity means so much to him:
“Everyone at Dame Vera Lynn work tirelessly to help each and every little hero realise their full potential. They have provided amazing support to our son Joshua, helping him toward taking his first step in spite of his quad cerebral palsy, global development delay, infantile spasms (severe epilepsy) and cortical visual impairment (registered blind).
“When Louise and I were first told of Joshua’s complex needs and given a prognosis that he would not live beyond his teens, hopes and dreams for the future left us. Joshua is battle hardened from a complex start to life and takes everything in his developing stride. As Joshua has got older, gained strength and gained a wickedly awesome personality our hopes and dreams for the future have very much returned!
“For each story you read, there are many more out there un-spoken. Charities like Dame Vera Lynn work to support as many children as possible. The support from Robert Walters Group UK will significantly help Dame Vera Lynn provide crucial support to other children such as Joshua – giving them and their families hopes and dreams for their futures.”
On 14 September 2019 Richard will be walking 21 miles (35km) for Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, an average of 42,000 steps – more steps than some children with cerebral palsy will walk in their lifetime. To donate click here.
Chris Hickey, UK CEO at Robert Walters comments:
“Our annual Charity Day is much looked forward to by everyone within Robert Walters. Each year it gets bigger, better and more creative – and most importantly we have consistently raised more money as each year passes.
“As well as the effort that each and every Robert Walters employee puts into raising money, thanks must also go to our clients and partner organisations for the kind donations and support they lend on the day.
“Given that the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity rely entirely on the community to raise funds I have no doubt that Robert Walters Group UK will put in a stellar effort on this year’s Charity Day.”
Pilar Cloud, Executive Manager at Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity comments:
“We are thrilled to be the chosen charity of the UK employees of Robert Walters Group because we know the positive difference that they have made to any number of charities over the years and that they will make in this coming year to our charity in helping us to support even more families.
“For a small charity like ours, having the support, enthusiasm, focus and determination of so many new supporters up and down the country will help us to raise awareness of the services we provide AND to ensure more families are able to benefit from our early intervention support. Thank you, Robert Walters Group.”
Click here for more information on the work that the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity do.
