Friends of ANCHOR has received a boost from local firm activpayroll, after the company's employees chose to gift their social budget to good causes.
The charity is one of four that has benefitted from a £4,000 donation, after the company decided to donate a combined total of £16,000 to Maggie’s, Friends of ANCHOR, Charlie House and Support in Mind Scotland.
activpayroll’s social committee, activ-in-action, is granted an annual budget for company events such as Summer BBQ’s, quiz nights, Christmas parties and also organise smaller gestures such as breakfast for the team on a Friday and free fruit. With all social events cancelled for 2020, activ-in-action was tasked with coming up with an alternative to give team members. Various ideas were considered, including takeaway food vouchers, supermarket vouchers and virtual group events with prizes, however, the ultimate decision was unanimous, the money that would normally be spent on events would go to activpayroll’s chosen charities for 2020.
Charity has always been high on activpayroll’s agenda, since 2016, the team has raised in excess of £100,000 by taking part in a range of challenges and events. At the beginning of 2020, activpayroll was set for another year of fundraising and challenges, however when the coronavirus pandemic hit, these had to be put on hold, ultimately affecting the charities that so heavily rely on donations to survive.
Alison Sellar, CEO of activpayroll, commented: “With charities across the country working hard to ensure they stay afloat during these turbulent times, it is more important than ever that as a company, we support them in any way we can. I am always immensely proud of all the charitable work that goes on across the business, especially the team’s decision to donate the annual social budget to charity. I would urge other businesses who are in a fortunate position like us to do the same this year.”
Carly Munro, Finance & Fundraising Coordinator at Friends of ANCHOR, said: “activpayroll has been on board with us since 2016 and to have their continued backing during such a challenging year has given us a real boost. Whether it’s organising their own fitness trials, shaking buckets at office events or getting stuck in to our charity challenges, the staff at activ always bring so much passion, energy and creativity to the cause. They can often be found in fancy dress at ANCHOR Wipeout, or trawling through gallons of mud at Glack Attack. This year alone, staff signed up to our Going the Distance event, and most recently Debbie and Brogan from the team tackled their fears and took on a skydive to raise funds. To date, activ’s efforts have raised £11,205, and this latest donation tips the scale over £15,000. We’re extremely grateful to everyone at activpayroll for their unwavering support, not least for such a generous gesture in donating their own social budget to the cause. As always, every penny will go to the cause and this donation will play a hugely valued part in keeping our services and support going this year.”