Givergy Gives Back #GivingTuesday

Posted by Ben Crook on 28 November 2016

Its #GivingTuesday so naturally Givergy’s offices across the globe have been reminiscing about their personal fundraising experiences. Here are a few examples of how Givergy have given back in the past and we look forward to all the fundraising yet to come!

Chairman of The GOSH Matchplay Cup 2016

This year I was Chairman of The GOSH Matchplay Cup 2016, a unique golf event held in September that raised over 80,000 to fund an isolation recovery bay for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. It was an incredible event where we used live golf scoring (VPAR) and fundraising technology (Givergy), plus benefitted from celebrity involvement, amazing auction items and event sponsorship. A truly rewarding experience that I’m looking forward to repeating as we make this an annual event! Tim Stansbury, Managing Director, San Francisco

Project Manager for a volunteer organisation in South Africa

I worked for a volunteer organization that does development work in rural parts of Africa as a Project Manager. I was located in St. Lucia, South Africa with a permanent population of 300 residents. We did our development work in the Zulu villages Khula and Ezewenelisha that surround St. Lucia, with populations over 20,000 people living in what we in the west would consider poverty. At my location, we did projects in Medical, Education and Community fields.

These projects ranged from Home Based Care, working in clinic, working at Creche (at local pre-schools getting students ready for primary school) and working with specific families that Induna (chief of the village) deemed as risk families. HIV and AIDS affects many if not most families living in these communities in some way. We would help people with the virus in Home Based Care, as well as offering AIDS and HIV courses and training to dispel myths that are still very real to the people surrounding the virus (for instance that washing will keep you safe). This was an extremely rewarding experience for me as I got to get to know many people and become a part of the community, as well as getting to live in South Africa home of the Big 5! Ashley Misson, Event Manager, Vancouver

Ride London for Action A-T

This year I have completed ride London for Action for A-T and skydived from 12,000ft over Swindon (I’m still not sure why) for Purple Heart Wishes. Two very different fundraising events but both incredibly rewarding. The amount of money I raised from both would probably not be enough to be deemed sizeable but sometimes taking part in these events isn’t just about the money you raise for the incredible cause, although of course that helps, and I am sure my 1,200 will really help the two causes but, its also about the awareness of self, stepping outside your everyday comfort zone, promoting the cause to others and generally mucking in.

Don’t get me wrong, cycling 100 miles through London and Surrey isn’t easy and nor is jumping out of a plane but there are many ways to fundraise and remember, if the amount you raise is your focus then every penny counts – no amount is too small! Jonathon Douglas, Director of Strategy, UK

Volunteer at the Toronto Humane Society

I’ve been volunteering at the Toronto Humane Society since October 2015. I wanted to get involved in the community and meet new people, and I am very passionate about animal welfare so THS was the perfect option for me. I visit the shelter once a week and interact with the dogs by walking them around downtown Toronto to provide them with human interaction as well as a much-needed shelter break. I also ran a 5km race in support of THS in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront this September, and raised money in support of the shelter. I’m very proud to play a part in the operational support of THS, as it is a no-kill shelter and operates solely on donations from supporters. Lauren Tuck, Account Manager, Toronto

Care for Calais

I was presented with the opportunity to spend a week in the Calais jungle to help make a difference to refugees living in the worst conditions across Northern France. I was delighted to take a full van of clothes and food to the Calais jungle for Care for Calais.

As soon as you see the first persons gratitude, you know you’re in the right place. This is why I’ve come. This is why you’ve given. Because these are ordinary people, like you and me, who have fled their homes and travelled hundreds of miles, experienced real trauma and who are now looking at you, smiling and grateful.

I did 4 distributions over the next 2 days, drank tea in their cafe, some of us even watched Shakespeare on their stage. Giving the community some respect, helping them in some small way as our governments sit by and leave them in abeyance. It turns out the warehouses are cleared in about a week and so the food is needed, men’s jackets, trousers and shoes highly prized. It was an experience Ill never forget and look forward to helping other similar causes. Will Walsh, CEO

Mountain Trek in India

I took on the mammoth task of trekking to the summit of Stok Kangri (India), a 6,200m snow covered peak which towers over the surrounding landscape in aid of the British Heart Foundation. The British Heart Foundation have worked with Givergy since 2013 to raise more for their amazing cause through cutting edge technology. I raised a staggering 4500 through my personal fundraising experience.

We experienced numerous highs and lows (literally and figuratively) throughout our journey. However, raising money for a cause I was personally touched by made the blood, sweat, tears and breath taking views completely worth it. John Roberts, Head of UK Sales

Participated in the Gutsy Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis

One of the best things about working for Givergy is that our clients are able to raise meaningful and necessary funds. I participated in the Gutsy Walk for Crohns and Colitis because it is something that has an impact on my daily life. Several people in my personal life, including my best friend, are impacted by this disease, and I see the direct impact that it has on a persons life. Braeden Gibbs, Sales Manager, Toronto

Wherever you are in the world, we wish you luck in raising more for amazing causes for your #GivingTuesday campaign! If you’d like to find out more about Givergy’s #GivingTuesday campaign or for future fundraising ideas, please contact us.

Ben Crook

Chief Operating Officer

Ben is at the forefront of every project in Givergy, listing and actioning constant improvements across the business. With over a decade of experience in the charity and events sector he brings a deep understanding of what the fundraising industry needs to operate effectively and efficiently.