Affordable healthcare provider Benenden Health has raised £6,287.00 of funds for various charities and groups in the York district in 2024. This is a 34% increase from 2023 where £4,682 was raised, and a 55% increase from 2022 where £4,045.50 was raised.
Charities that Benenden Health has fundraised for this year include Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) and Macmillan Cancer Support. Benenden Health also supported the refurbishment of St Denys Church Hall and the ‘Make Space for Girls’ festival this year, using its Community Fund, and was a sponsor of York Pride. Employees also volunteered their time for various York Cares initiatives this year.
Fundraising activities for IDAS this year included running a bake sale for World Baking Day in May and running the York 10k in August. Activity for Macmillan included completing the Mighty Hike in June and running a coffee and cake sale for Macmillan’s Coffee Morning in September.
Amy Hebdon, Fundraising Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support shared, "Macmillan Cancer Support is delighted Benenden Health has chosen to support us this year.
“At Macmillan, we know that people living with cancer need personalised care and support to help them through their cancer experience. That’s why we are working together with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Y&STH) in a significant upgrade to the Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital with Macmillan investing £2.11 million to improve facilities for the Macmillan Wellbeing Service.
“Around 1,150 people in York are diagnosed with cancer on average each year, and at least 8,300 people are living with cancer in York as of 2020 – this number is predicted to increase to 11,500 by 2030. We want to be able to help everyone affected by cancer, and it’s only with the amazing support of individuals and companies like Benenden Health that we’re able to do this.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what plans Benenden Health have for 2025 and support you with further fundraising."
Emma Poole, Fundraiser at IDAS added, “Corporate support is a vital source of income for IDAS; each year we need to raise around £100,000 in addition to our mainstream funding, and partnering with local businesses such as Benenden Health helps us to plan our work and, ultimately, support more victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence across Yorkshire.
“In addition to raising much-needed funds, partnering with Benenden Health has raised awareness of our charity and the services we provide locally, which helps us to reach more people who are trapped in abusive relationships and need our support.
“We're pleased to continue working closely with Benenden Health into 2025. We have a calendar of exciting fundraising events planned and I'm looking forward to seeing how the team can get involved!”
Mike Hay, Chief People Officer at Benenden Health seconded the importance of fundraising in the local area, "I’m incredibly proud to see this fundraising result after a year of hard work from our employees’ running events, training for hikes, completing said hikes, and much more.
“But it is much more than donating money and giving time; it’s about developing partnerships, making a difference, building camaraderie among employees, and making a real-life difference in our community.
“In choosing our local charities, how we raise funds for them, and how we donate our time, Benenden Health employees have built a strong example of internal democracy. I’m not only proud to see this but also eager to continue well into the future for the benefit of our teams and our community.”
The team at Benenden Health also volunteered 135 hours of their time to the Big Community Challenge, which saw over 40 employees support the local community, all in aid of supporting York Cares’ wider project of improving the green spaces in the area. Furthermore, Benenden Health volunteered their time to York Cares’ ‘Aspirations’ project, where employees attended local primary schools to provide employability support by raising aspirations and awareness of different career paths.
To read more about Benenden Health visit: About Benenden Health – Private Healthcare for Everyone.
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