One of Cumbria’s most progressive businesses, H&H Group, have celebrated a triumphant year-long charity fundraising campaign with the presentation of a cheque for £8,000, split between their two chosen charities – The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and the British Heart Foundation.
The fundraising initiatives, involving over 100 members of staff from across the Groups’ seven businesses, included a Hadrian’s Wall Hike, Total Warrior, Dechox for March, The Great North Run, Quiz Night, Ladies’ Charity Evening, Wear Your Wellies to Work Day and a H&H Farmhouse Bake Off.
On presenting the donations, Richard Rankin, Chief Executive of H&H Group, said: “The two charities were specifically chosen for 2018 as they each have a personal connection with team members from across the business.
The British Heart Foundation has funded a large number of projects to fight heart disease, and this was our way of supporting a great cause. The H&H Group is involved with a significant part of the farming community, which is why we chose the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) as our second charity.
The fundraisers this year were a true credit to everyone involved and portrayed just how much we have accomplished – raising money for worthwhile charities, whilst bringing the fantastic team of H&H staff, across the board, together.”
For four members of staff, one particular highlight of the year was when they went the extra mile to complete the world’s biggest half marathon; the challenging 13.1mile Great North Run, which they described later as “an amazing experience”.
Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer and the British Heart Foundation is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research. On receiving their cheque, Emma Dickinson, Fundraising Manager at the British Heart Foundation for Lancashire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man, said: “Almost 1 million people across the North West are fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory diseases. Each year, these devastating conditions claim the lives of more than 152 people in Carlisle.
The support from the H&H Group helps us fund the research that’s so desperately needed to bring us closer to beating heartbreak forever. We are incredibly proud to have the help from the H&H Group and we can’t thank them enough for their generous donation. Together with the help of our corporate partners, volunteers and fundraising groups, we can save more lives.”
Operating in England and Wales, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) is farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity.
Thrilled to receive their cheque, Georgina Lamb, R.A.B.I Regional Manager for North West England, said: “We are delighted to receive the cheque from the H&H Group. This is an incredible result from everybody. My congratulations go to the staff at H&H for taking part in the various challenges to raise the money.
The overall profile of being chosen as their 2018 charity is invaluable in raising awareness of what R.A.B.I do – the money itself is an added bonus. Last year, we spent £75,000 on supporting farming families in Cumbria, and as we are very sector specific, we rely on people in the farming industry to support us. I cannot thank H&H enough, we will be spending this money on farming families across Cumbria and this will enable us to do what we do best.”
Funded by donations, money raised at events arranged by county committees, regional managers, businesses and community groups, every year the R.A.B.I give out around £2million in grants to farming people.
Richard concluded: “This year’s results have been excellent, and I am certain this will continue for our 2019 charities and planned events.”
