EXPERIENCE DAYS CHARITY WRAP UP 2021
Here at Experience Days, we're spending these last few days of 2021 reflecting on our impact and the small differences we've made over the past year by taking a look back at our charity scheme.
With the subject of the pandemic looming over us for the entirety of 2021, let's all hope that 2022 is the beginning of the end of the virus and that we'll all be able to get back to normality for good!
Amongst all of the ups and downs, we sure did all make the most of what we could, and that's the best outlook to have. Let's look forward to a better and more positive 2022! Being able to donate to charities and knowing that our contribution has been able to keep their morale high is a feeling you can't describe.
Looking back on our charitable donations throughout the year of 2021, we have contacted a few of the charities to whom we contributed during these unpredictable times. It has been amazing to truly understand our impact and how it has helped them to raise money for a great cause.
Read on to find out more about the amazing charities we've worked with, what they stand for, and how they are constantly making a difference to those in need.
The Camden Clean Air Initiative
Tell us about your organisation and your most recent event.
CCA is an ambitious, not-for-profit action group working to increase the quality of air in the Borough of Camden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, walking on our streets became more enjoyable as there were fewer cars on the road and toxins in the air. We’ve set up Camden Clean Air to maintain these improvements, tackle the air pollution crisis, and spark behavioural change.
Working closely with all community stakeholders (including residents, businesses, community groups and local government) we run borough-wide initiatives, provide resources, and act as a voice for all those who care about Camden.
How did our contribution help towards this event?
Your £50 voucher went to Alfie Cooper-Brass, who won the first place in his mini warriors’ category.
How much money did you raise during the charity event?
£1500 through two corporate donations of £1000 and £500 each.
How has this money impacted your organisation?
We have nearly covered the costs of this event and decided that we will be running it again next year.
Henshaws
Tell us about your organisation and your most recent event.
Henshaws is a northern charity supporting people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to go beyond expectations. We believe that, wherever they are, everyone has the right to an independent and fulfilling life. Our support, advice and training enable people and their families to build skills, develop confidence, help each other, and look forward to a more positive future.
How did our contribution help towards this event?
On September 8th we held our very first event since the start of COVID. It was a golf day for our corporate supporters, held at Rudding Park Golf Club near Harrogate. As part of our fund-raising endeavours, we held a silent auction and a raffle. Experience Days kindly donated a £50 voucher to spend on any kind of experience, and this was a real boost to our raffle!
How much money did you raise during the event?
Having a great selection of raffle prizes, in quality, variety and value, was key to our overall success. The event ended up raising over £6000.
How has this money impacted your organisation?
As you can imagine, these were vital funds, particularly following our struggles during the lockdowns, and exactly the boost which our charity needed, so thank you Experience Days!
St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group
Tell us about your organisation and your most recent event.
The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group is the only charitable provider of expert eye care in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has been treating patients regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or ability to pay for almost 140 years and employs 268 people. The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group’s vision is to transform lives by saving people’s sight in a region that has experienced decades of conflict and inequality. On Tuesday 5th November we organised an Autumn Reception to raise for our charity. The event was also an opportunity to meet our fundraisers and supporters, acknowledge their support and bring them together for the first official SJEHG event of the year (which wasn’t in a virtual setting). We had talks from special guests and an exciting raffle.
How did our contribution help towards this event?
We had a raffle on the night of our event and were low on prizes. We reached out to a range of companies but had to rely mostly on our existing supporters for prizes. Thanks to Experience Days we were able to offer an exciting gift card to our supporters, where they could choose an experience to enjoy.
How much money did you raise during the event?
Under £1,000 (£958.00).
How has this money impacted your organisation?
It will keep our essential sight services running in the region we work in, fund our staff’s livelihoods, fund vital research, and help us to cope with the backlog incurred by the pandemic.
Golddigger Trust
Tell us about your organisation and your most recent event.
Golddigger Trust is an award-winning charity, working to equip young people with the confidence and skills to make positive choices for themselves. We are all about building positive wellbeing in young people, based in Sheffield, and impacting the UK. Investing in thousands of young people through innovative projects, mentoring, courses, and programmes, we are committed to ‘digging out the gold’ within people and helping them to reach their full potential. This year we celebrated our belated (due to the pandemic!) 15th anniversary with a fundraising auction and ball on 2nd October. It was a fantastic night attended by over 200 people who came together to hear the stories of four young people whose lives have been changed through the work of Golddigger Trust.
How did our organisation help towards this event?
A part of the fundraising during the event involved a raffle, and it was fantastic to have Experience Days’ voucher on the list of prizes of people to win and we’re sure it encouraged people to give generously!
How much money did you raise during the event?
We were thrilled to raise an amazing £27,280 from the event!
How has this money impacted your organisation?
The money raised will ensure we are able to keep our services open and freely accessible for all young people in Sheffield who need us.
St Joseph the Worker PTA
Tell us about your organisation and your most recent event.
The Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) at St Joseph the Worker School aims to bring together the families of the attending students and their educators because we believe it is beneficial for the school and children. It provides the school community with a friendly, social and fun backdrop, and raises money to enhance learning experiences for the student community, providing those 'little extras' that make school memorable and inspiring. As a small school (200 pupils), the PTA is run by a small group of volunteers who organise activities every term, with our latest event being a Christmas raffle.
How did our organisation help towards this event?
During the pandemic years, our organisation has struggled to raise funds as various events had to be cancelled. Our Christmas Raffle could thankfully go ahead in a virtual manner. Receiving a Gift Experience voucher from Experience Days really enhanced the Raffle, and indeed it was one of our top prizes. Without a doubt, it attracted the interest of ticket buyers!
How much money did you raise during the event?
We raised in excess of £650 from the Raffle alone, which is fantastic considering that the social event that usually accompanies the Raffle could not go ahead this year.
How has this money impacted your organisation?
Our school had been planning to replace the audio system in the school hall, as this was somewhat old and unreliable. In conjunction with earlier fundraising events held in Autumn 2021, the money raised from this Raffle helped us reach our financial target and we could thus replace the audio system!
Knaphill Schools PTA
Tell us about your organisation and your most recent event.
Knaphill Schools PTA is a charity that raises money to enhance the learning environment and wellbeing of the children at our lower and junior school.
How did our organisation help towards this event?
Experience Days very kindly donated a voucher for our Christmas raffle which was a huge success.
How much money did you raise during the event?
We managed to raise an amazing £1,356.10 from our Christmas fundraising.
How has this money impacted your organisation?
These funds will help us buy some Chromebooks for the school and also go towards the refurb of our school library, thank you so much for helping!
Thank you for reading our Charity Wrap Up 2021!
We couldn't be thankful enough to all of the charities who contributed to this wrap up and for all of your hard work over the past year to support those in need! If you are interested in our charity scheme, you can read all about it here; we would love to be a part of the amazing work you do!
