ELBA and BIG Alliance Toy Appeal
For Christmas 2022, staff at GreySpark’s London office (as we did in 2015) donated Christmas presents to children via the East London Business Alliance (ELBA). This year, however, we also had fun writing accompanying letters to the children from ‘Santa’.
The charity is the leading social regeneration charity in East London and Islington. With 30 years’ experience, it facilitates corporate involvement in community organisations, education and employment across the East London boroughs.
Feedback from parents (via ELBA) included:
“She loved playing with her toy and making a mess! It helped with her sensory processing, Helped with Cost-of-Living Crisis.” Parent of 7-year-old with Tuberous Sclerosis, MLD and Speech and Language Delay
“He liked the toys. It did help with money and freed up finances to get some food over the Christmas.” Parent of 13-year-old with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Severe Learning Difficulties
Cancer Charity Run Fundraiser
This year, an Analyst Consultant on our Graduate Scheme is running the Greenwich Park Royal Parks Summer 10K, The Royal Windsor Half-Marathon River Trail Run and The Richmond Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The charity funds crucial research into existing treatments and possible cures, raises awareness about prevention and early diagnosis and develops evidence-based policy to inform government decisions related to cancer and research.
Victim Support Caseworker
In 2017, one of our team members became a specially-trained caseworker for Victim Support. As an independent charity, Victim Support works towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. Support is free and confidential. Specially-trained volunteers provide emotional and practical support and helps victims develop coping strategies necessary for recovery.
Mt. Snowdon Trek — Great Ormond Street Hospital
In August 2017, a GreySpark employee undertook an organised trek up Mt. Snowdon to raise money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Funds raised went towards life-saving medical equipment and research and facilities and towards making life in the hospital as normal as possible for children and their families.
Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning
One of the largest British charities, Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist healthcare, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. Every September, Macmillan and M&S partner up to hold ‘The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ and encourage people to host their own coffee mornings to help raise money for the charity.
GreySpark held a coffee morning in September 2017 and raised more than £100 for the charity.
Great North Run & Bristol Half Marathon — Stroke Association
One GreySpark employee ran both the Great North Run and the Bristol Half Marathon to raise money for the Stroke Association, a fantastic charity that campaigns for better stroke care, provides vital support to those affected by strokes and their families and funds research into improving treatment and care.
Stonewall’s 10km LGBT Equality Walk in Brighton
In May 2016, one of GreySpark’s staff members participated in Stonewall’s 10km LGBT Equality Walk in Brighton, raising funds to send role models into schools to support and inspire young people across the country. Every year, thousands of lesbian, gay, bi and trans young people grow up feeling isolated and alone just because of who they are. Last year Stonewall sent more than 50 LGBT role models to visit schools across the UK to share their personal stories with thousands of students and teachers.
Toy Collection — East London Business Alliance Social Regeneration Project
For Christmas 2015, GreySpark ran a toy appeal for disadvantaged children living in east London. The toys were distributed by a ELBA, a local charity, to children in care, disabled children and impoverished children, amongst others.
The charity chosen in 2015 was the East London Business Alliance, a social regeneration project in east London. It facilitates corporate investment from over 100 companies – many based in the City – into community programmes spanning east London. ELBA distributed the aggregated Christmas present donations to over 50 different community groups.
Trussell Trust Local Food Banks Collection
In the autumn of 2015, GreySpark organised a collection of food for donation by its staff to a local food bank. Food banks provide emergency food parcels to people who, for a variety of reasons, can’t provide for themselves or their family. GreySpark’s donation went to the Trussell Trust. Food banks were very busy in 2015; between April and September, for instance, Trussell Trust food banks across the UK gave 506,369 three day emergency food supplies to people in crisis (Source GazetteLive.co.uk).
Number Five Night Shelter Support Worker
GreySpark has supported the work of the night shelter with both funding and resources. Number Five night shelter aims to support those who want to help themselves stabilise and move towards more independent living. The shelter encourages self-help and personal responsibility to achieve goals and objectives on the path to improved lives. It accommodates up to 14 men and 2 women, regardless of background.
Trees for Cities Donation
Ensuring that the quality of urban environments is maintained is a key objective of the Trees for Cities organisation. By ensuring that more trees are grown in built-up cities like London, Trees for Cities supports a more healthy living and working environment for all their inhabitants. GreySpark has provided a donation to this organisation to help it continue its worthwhile work.
The JP Morgan Corporate Challenge 5k Run
The Corporate Challenge is a 5km run which features more than 28,000 entrants from 700 companies. GreySpark sent a team of 10 to compete, with the combined entrance fee joining the funds J.P. Morgan donated to Age UK. The organisation is an advocate for older people in the UK, providing information, advice and services to millions of people annually.
