Children from Chernobyl Life Link - Fareham Challenge
09.00am, Tuesday 22nd April 2008 - the brochures were ready, the hotlines set up and the volunteer ‘operators’ poised for action. At 10.00am it was Cheltenham’s turn, then Swindon, then Birmingham …. Yes, it was the launch of Challenge 2008!
For those who don’t know, the Challenge programme is Zurich Cares (Zurich Community Trust's employee involvement programme) biggest annual volunteer event and sees teams of volunteers from across the UK getting together to complete a one-off project – be this a gardening, DIY or Entertainment activity - to support a local organisation.
As ever, the phone-lines were soon buzzing with a speedy and excellent take-up across the key locations of Swindon, Hampshire, Birmingham and Cheltenham. The Zurich Cares team is delighted to say that a total of 178 Challenges have already been taken up, so well on the way to reaching their target of completing 180 Challenges in 2008.
Past experience has shown that as well as being of immense value to the community, Challenge is also great fun, good for teambuilding and a unique opportunity to use skills in a different environment. It also requires a 'get up and go' attitude as the teams may need to either fundraise or persuade people to donate goods and services to make the Challenge happen. Zurich Cares adds an extra 50% to everything raised – which led to a total of over £55,000 raised for local causes through the Challenge programme last year.
Several Challenge teams have been quick off the mark and already completed their project. Dave Smith (MD Broker) and his management team put their skills to a very different use doing a a court yard makeover ‘groundforce style’ for Birmingham Disability Resource Centre.
While not to be outdone, a Business Partnering team from Fareham were treated to the Birdie Song in Russian as children sang their thanks for their fun day on Friday 13 June at Moors Valley Country Park, near Ringwood. Batman and Robin (Adrian Snell and Tom Hobbs respectively) also dropped in to lend a hand. Organised by Chernobyl Link Life Line the children from Belarus visit the UK for one month holidays to help clear the radioactive Caesium 137 from their bodies and to boost their immune system. In fact, it's estimated that just this one month trip will add 2 years onto their life.
The team kicked off their Challenge by raising a fantastic £610.00 to organise and host a games day, with barbeque, for 12 children.
"This year’s challenge has not only given us the chance to work as a team but has also provided us personal enrichment from being able to spend the day with a lovely group of children full of energy, spirit and lots of smiles…. After all, smiling is infectious!" Vicki Bond, Team Leader
Capita were also one of the first past the post when they organised a family fun day for NSPCC Penhill Family Centre in Swindon.
"We had a really great day - the weather was lovely and we ran a raffle, treasure hunt, helped face paint and ran a miniature garden competition. The kids loved it! And so did some adults!!". Julie Sizeland, Capita Life New Business 1 Manager
