Throughout the year, the team has undertaken various fundraising activities to generate money for the local facility which provides much-needed treatment, care and support for more than 1,500 cancer patients and their families across Cheshire, Derbyshire and North Staffordshire.
The efforts have seen the firm’s dedicated colleagues come together to actively participate in a diverse range of events including charity bake sales, ‘Blue Day’ with blue drinks, snacks and clothes, and a series of raffles during key occasions such as Easter, the Summer Social and Christmas.
Raising a notable £11,000 alone and exceeding its ambitious target in a highly courageous challenge, fourteen daring team members leapt from heights of up to 15,000ft for a charity skydive.
Additionally, a trio of employees have gone the extra mile to take on several running challenges. Partner and joint head of the Congleton office Helen Gowin participated in the Manchester 10k, solicitor Kirsty Armstrong ran the Great North Run, and conveyancer Natalie Beard took part in the Manchester Half Marathon.
As a symbol of gratitude for the firm’s dedication, The Christie has awarded SAS Daniels with a piece of a medal every time over £60 is raised in a single event; each of the four offices has now been awarded a full medal.
Commenting on the extraordinary feat, Jeremy Orrell, CEO at SAS Daniels said: “We are very proud of the team for the highly impressive amount raised for this incredibly worthwhile cause. The Christie has touched the lives of many people living and working in our community, including members of our own team, and we are passionate about supporting them as much as we can.”
Lisa Clark, corporate fundraising manager from The Christie, added: “It’s been lovely working with the SAS team this year. They have taken part in many different challenges – the skydive was by far the biggest success with so many members of the team participating. They’ve done marathons, walks, raffles and a bake sale or two. All four offices took part in our Christie Challenge this year and have now completed the jigsaw medal. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and donated.”
Each year the firm nominates a charity local to one or more of SAS Daniels’ four office locations in Stockport, Chester, Macclesfield, and Congleton, to support and raise much-needed funds.
Stockport and District Mind is an independent mental health charity that provides advice, advocacy, support and services to all people who reside in the Stockport Metropolitan Borough and adjacent areas who are experiencing poor mental health.
The charity enables and empowers individuals to live with, manage and where possible recover from their condition, as well as supporting their family, friends and carers. Set up by a group of volunteers in 1971, the organisation is affiliated with National Mind, one of England and Wales’s leading mental health charities.
SAS Daniels has already made an initial donation to Stockport and District Mind, helping to provide additional funds needed to start a Tuesday allotment club, which will allow those dealing with mental health problems to take part in mindfulness sessions surrounded by nature.
Significantly, the firm also collaborated with the charity during Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), during which SAS Daniels’ employees benefited from a complimentary mindfulness session delivered by the Stockport and District Mind team.
The announcement follows a hugely successful year of fundraising for the firm, which saw over £18,000 donated to The Christie. One particular highlight of the charitable calendar of events was a sponsored skydive, which saw fourteen daring employees leap from heights of up to 15,000ft, raising a notable £11,000. Other endeavours throughout the year included sponsored runs, cake sales, raffles and sponsored theme days.
Jeremy Orrell, chief executive officer at SAS Daniels commented: “At SAS Daniels we are firmly committed to supporting our local communities and having a positive impact on the people living and working within them, something which charitable work is an integral aspect of. With many worthwhile causes in our surrounding areas, it is never an easy decision to select our Charity of the Year however, we look forward to working closely with Stockport and District Mind to offer our support and add value in any way that we can.”
The firm has plenty of fundraising ideas lined up to take place over the year.