Here are just a few of the Companies & organisations that have offered their support, without whom we would not be where we are today.
NDS, Chandlers Ford
NDS Charity Committee was set up in 2008, and we felt that local charities that had limited resources would benefit most from a donation and would also offer more volunteering options for our employees.
We found, bizarrely, that some organisations did not want any kind of relationship and support above merely handing over cheques. Some seemed more like businesses than a Charity. There were some who did not even return mails or follow up personal calls.
Trawling the Charity associated websites we found a link to ‘Simon Says’. As soon as we saw the website we knew we had found our local charity. The remit of Simon Says is simply irresistible. There was an immediate emotional bond for this tiny local charity. We couldn’t consider any youth to be more disadvantaged than those going through the ordeal of close personal bereavement.
The deal was completely sealed when we met Paula at their Eastleigh office for our first meeting. Money would be, of course, great but here was an organisation that our colleagues in the office could get direct and hands on involvement with and actually participate in the Charity works at all levels.
We had found such a worthy and deserving cause and one that we could support personally with employee participation and financially as a company.
At time of going to press, NDS as a company has donated in excess of £6600, and NDS employees have raised money through loose change collected in their canteen generating £42.50, 13 employees ran in the Great South Run 2009 and sponsorship totalled £2605, an employee ‘paperback book swap’ raised £70 and an NDS employee and his friends swam from Swanage to Bournemouth raising £975. In addition, IT personnel are generously offering their support and 5 employees have decided to give up their free time and train to be bereavement workers for Simon Says.
NDS are certainly making a huge difference to Simon Says – Thank youSainsbury's, Hedge End
She then proceeded to tell me about the charity and how it had helped a very dear friend of hers and her daughter, through their difficult time. By the time she had finished telling about the charity and what they do, I had a lump in my throat.
My next question to her was 'How can we help?'
We met with Paula Wiseman and expressed our interest in the charity and we decided that we would like to be involved with some fund raising for them. We were not at all sure that we would be able to raise a lot of money but we would have a go. Since working with Paula and her team, I have become far more aware of what Simon Says can offer and the work that they do.
As a company, each branch chooses a charity to work with each year, and for 2009 we are pleased to say that Sainsbury's, Hedge End has chosen Simon Says as their charity to support.
We hope we can make a difference in some small way by contributing some money to Simon Says.'
Lesley Powell, PR Ambassador for Sainbsury's Hedge End,
Whitegrove
Whitegrove are a business who was looking for a local charity into which they could direct all their fund raising energies.
We were so impressed with the background and presentation given to us by Simon Says culminating in the unanimous decision to try and help fund this most worthy cause.
We are delighted to have been involved with Simon Says now for over 3 years, and to date, with fund raising, donations and 3 charity golf days under our belt we have managed to raise in excess of £50,000 for the charity
Morris Dibben
We were delighted to support Simon Says. We felt that too often local charities doing important work are overlooked in favour of the larger national organisations with higher profiles. Also the work that Simon Says does is important and does not receive the recognition it deserves.
We were able to raise funds through a range of activities, a golf day supported by local businesses, a charity ball, even a tombola outside our Hayling Island branch one Saturday!
A number of the staff have carried on involving themselves in raising further funds and attending other events.
Nick Freeth - Managing Director
Enfields
Now Legal
Now Marketing
Lawditt Solicitors
‘We chose Simon Says as it really is a worthwhile charity. Taking away the pain of losing a mummy or a daddy can never be removed but we are sure SS helps those kids enjoy being kids with holidays and trips away. SS’s work is significant and deserves all the help that it can get. It is our pleasure to help Simon Says and Lawdit is donating £5 from every trade mark search that we are instructed to do. Lawdit’s Principal Michael Coyle is also running the London Marathon in 2008. We are also planning on organising a charity event in the near future together with various other fund raising activities.
Busi Kids
Masons
Masonic Donations
Simon Says was chosen to be a beneficiary by various Masonic Lodges, particularly because it was local charity and one that helps young children at a time when they need it most in their young lives. Losing a parent, grand parent, brother, sister or even a close playmate, is not easy at any age, let alone when you have little experience of life’s ups and downs.
Masonic Donators include:
Brook House Lodge 8606 - £1000.00
Albert Edward Chapter 1780 - £1000.00
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Grand Charity (Tom Langton Fund) £750.00
Itchen Cork Lodge - £250.00
Pear Tree / St Christopher / Holmlea Lodges - 1000.00
