Employees at The Barden Corporation (UK) put aside concerns over the gloomy economic climate this Christmas to help the less fortunate, setting a new fundraising record through a series of charitable events.
Collections carried out by staff and proceeds from the company's annual dinner and dance evening brought in a grand total of more than £2,000 (€2,250) for local charities, including a hospice for terminally ill patients, a children's cancer ward at the local hospital and a school for physically handicapped children.
Organised by Barden's Sports and Social Club, the yearly dinner and dance has become the 'must-attend' event of the company's social calendar. Over 160 Barden employees danced the night away, with money being raised through a raffle with prozes donated by local companies. Prizes included hotel stays, meals at luxury restaurants and even UK return flights from the local airline.
Dr Graham Stirling and representatives from The Barden Sports & Social Club hand over a cheque to Ms Sue McCullum from the local hospice
(L to R: Steve Love, Dr Graham Stirling, Steve Pink, Sue McCullum, Julie Stanton, Rose Spiers)
Julie Stanton from Barden's Sports and Social Club said: "We hold the Christmas Dinner and Dance every year and every year the response gets better. We've been lucky enough to have some great prizes donated which has enabled us to raise this fantastic amount."
Instead of sending Christmas cards, a collection was held by employees in two departments within the factory. Barden also made an environmentally-friendly gesture by sending E-cards to customers. The electronic greetings invited recipients to click on a link to the company's website and in return a donation would be made. The response to both was excellent, with the money raised being added to the fundraising total.
The £2,000 sets a new record for the company. Managing Director at Barden, Dr Graham Stirling explains: "Barden has a long history of fundraising, with employees often taking part in events either on their own initiative or with company support. But this is the largest amount we've raised at any one time and is a great way of backing the excellent work these charities do. It goes to show that even with the economic downturn, people are still willing to think of others during the festive period."
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