We’re changing lives with generous charity fundraising

With charity fundraising central to our CSR strategy, we’re pledging money to our charity of the year, Cash for Kids, and making a valuable contribution to causes that need it the most.

If you’re wondering about this year’s charity challenges, here we answer your burning questions…

Who is Cash for Kids?

Simply put, Cash for Kids supports disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, helping them achieve their potential and live life to the full. Its wide-ranging initiatives tackle issues related to poverty, illness, abuse, neglect and additional needs.

How has Quill raised funds?

On the ‘falling’ theme, we’ve undertaken various pursuits to bring in donations. For the most part, money has been pledged via the online fundraising pages for our Manchester, Liverpool and North Wales, and nationwide offices.

Activities undertaken were:

1. 11km tandem skydive on 7th September by six brave employees with a head for heights, these being Lyndsay Hall, Samantha McCarthy, Abigail Morton, Emma Scott, Eddie Smith and Anthony Davies. Our team gained the experience of a lifetime while simultaneously raising much-needed charitable funds.
2. 80ft abseil off the Millers Dale Viaduct in the Peak District on 9th September. To scale new heights in the name of charity, another daring team descended down a now-defunct viaduct crossing the limestone valley on the River Wye. The plucky staff who took the plunge were Lyndsay Hall, Clare Roberts, Nadine Woods, Nicole Shooter, Anthony Davies, Abigail Morton, Bob Chrystal, Chris Shingler, Colin Barrett, Dave Orr, Jay Edgson, Phil Whitehead, Sophia Thornton, Su Caukill, Samantha McCarthy and Mark Hampson.
3. Collecting gifts from staff for the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal. Thousands of families are living in poverty which makes Christmas gifting a luxury they can’t afford. We’re asking our employees to buy an extra present while doing their Christmas shopping, to give all children an opportunity to open something on Christmas morning.
4. Volunteering at Mission Christmas headquarters on 24th November. Kate Walker and Eleanor Riley spent a day sorting the first batch of donated toys which are being sent to individuals who would otherwise wake up to no presents on Christmas Day.
5. Extra fundraising plans included a Vinted auction, laptop sale, Shrove Tuesday pancakes, Coronation afternoon tea and Christmas raffle, to name a few – with every penny going into the Cash for Kids fundraising pots.

Can clients, partners and associates get involved?

Having raised £6,000 for Cash for Kids and reached our target, we’re grateful to you all for getting behind our fundraising efforts. We literally couldn’t have done it without you. There’s still time to get involved too. Please send donations to:

Greater Manchester: www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/quill-charity-of-the-year-greater-manchester/fundraisers/quill-pinpoint

Liverpool and North Wales: www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/quill-charity-of-the-year-liverpool-north-wales/fundraisers/quill-pinpoint

Rest of the UK: www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/quill-charity-of-the-year-uk/fundraisers/quill-pinpoint

And, please take part in the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal by delivering gifts to one of its many drop-off points or by donating cash online. Head to https://radiocity.co.uk/mission to learn more.

A word from Cash for Kids

Laura Charlton, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids, comments on our 2023 fundraising results:

“We’re delighted with the dedication and passion shown by Quill towards our charity. Not only have they donated, volunteered and actively participated in fundraising, they’ve shown a real interest in the children and young people we serve.

“Thanks to Quill, we’ve been able to provide all-year-round support through emergency funding to buy vital items such as nappies, baby milk, food and electricity, school uniforms and shoes, and, lastly, purchase gifts for our Mission Christmas appeal.

“Quill, then, has played a major role in supplying children and young people with essentials, resources, positive memories and experiences. On behalf of everyone at Cash for Kids and those we’ve helped this year, huge thank you to Quill.”

Has Quill backed other charities?

You may have already heard about our monthly optional salary sacrifice scheme whereby staff can opt in to donating £1 each month directly from their salaries for worthy causes. This equates to £120 which is sent to different charities – each one nominated by our workers.

In 2023, this money has been presented to Ronald McDonald House Charities (January), The Christie Charity (February), Ollie’s Army (March), 42nd Street (April), Claire House Children’s Hospice (May), Centrepoint (June), Queenscourt Hospice (July), Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary (August), Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice (September), The British Red Cross (October), Kingsley & Co Literacy Project (November) and local food banks (December).

Our charity committee signs off for 2023

We’ve got a voluntary charity committee who’s now busy strategising for next year by choosing our charity of the year and devising a fundraising schedule. Eleanor Riley, who heads up our charity committee, summarises 2023:

“It’s been a privilege to be part of Quill’s charity committee. The efforts have been fantastic all year round, and the generosity of our employees and their families has been astounding. In true Quill style, we smashed our target. I’ve seen first-hand where this money is going and it’s very humbling.

“I helped out at the Mission Christmas headquarters with Cash for Kids and it was a mentally tough day. Witnessing the tens of thousands of applications they’ve received from families, schools and social workers for gifts really hit home the reality of so many people living in poverty. Just this week, I took my son and niece to HQ so they could see exactly what some kids face each Christmas. I hope they’ve learned something valuable from the experience. The passion for giving from everyone at Quill and our clients has made it possible for children to wake up happy on Christmas Day. That gives me so much joy. I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved this year.”