Our Commitment to the Wakefield District : Making a Positive Impact
At We Are Wakefield, we believe in the power of community and the responsibility we hold in contributing to the well-being of the Wakefield District. Our corporate social responsibility initiatives reflect our dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those around us. Through various activities and partnerships, we strive to uplift our community and support local causes. Here’s a glimpse into the meaningful ways we’ve given back.
We Are Wakefield Dragon Boat Race 2024, to raise money for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
The We Are Wakefield Team recently joined forces with We Are Wakefield members to raise money for charity member Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. We were asked to enter a team to fill one boat, Claire Sutherley, We Are Wakefield MD asked Rachael Murphy her Executive Assistant to take this challenge on and run the event on her behalf. Rachael managed to fill 2 boats with the aim of raising £2k. Jon Handley of AB Print offered their services and were willing to donate the t-shirts and their printing services to this worthy cause. Rachael offered for companies taking part to donate a fee for sponsorship and put their company name on the t-shirts that the teams would be wearing on the day. We managed to raise £300 through this, together with the raffle, sponsorship monies and gift aid, we have raised to date over £4k which is an amazing achievement. Well done to all involved and we look forward to paddling with your again next year. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Jodie Lawton who will be running this event on behalf of We Are Wakefield in 2025.
We’re supporting Our Year Wakefield District 2024 by being one of the first members of Leap Club. 366 days you say? Yes! 2024 is a leap year: that means a whole extra day to celebrate culture
and creativity in the Wakefield district. We’ve signed up to support in delivering this year of events.
Have you heard about the exciting plans for Our Year – Wakefield District 2024, a huge 366-day programme of cultural and heritage activity taking place this year?
Expect non-stop things to do across the district from events, festivals and walks to heritage talks, community projects and plenty of partner events there is something for everyone to enjoy.
With communities at its heart, this year will inspire creativity. 2024 is Our Year to try something new!
Find out more here: OUR YEAR 2024
2023 Volunteer Days for The Prince of Wales Hospice:
We believe in the transformative power of hands-on involvement. On two volunteer days, 20 dedicated We Are Wakefield members rolled up their sleeves to tidy and renovate the garden areas for The Prince of Wales Hospice’s Summer Fair and the Light Up A Life event.
2023 Supporting The Prince of Wales Hospice Club 5 Network:
As a gesture of solidarity, we pledged to donate 10% of membership fees for every new member who joined via The Prince of Wales Hospice Club 5 network, fortifying our commitment to the well-being of our community.
2023 Braving the Shave for a Worthy Cause:
Phil Hodgson of The Yorkshire Broker, a proud We Are Wakefield member, “Braved the Shave” at a We Are Wakefield event, raising an admirable £700 for the MRI Appeal and Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation.
2023 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust Christmas Bauble Appeal:
We Are Wakefield members wholeheartedly embraced the spirit of giving during the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust Christmas Bauble Appeal. Together, we raised an impressive £1400 to contribute to the funding of a crucial MRI suite.
“The We Are Wakefield has shown unwavering support for MY Hospitals Charity through various means, including the purchase of Corporate Christmas Baubles. The proceeds from these bauble purchases support The MY MRI Appeal supporting the construction of a brand new state-of-the-art radiology suite at Pinderfields Hospital. The new suite will improve bring a huge range of healthcare benefits for our local community. This gesture exemplifies the network’s dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, demonstrating the power of collaboration and compassion within the Wakefield community.” Callum Pollard, Fundraising Manager.
2022 Abseil Down Wakefield Cathedral:
Our Managing Director, Claire Sutherley, took on the challenge of abseiling down Wakefield Cathedral, raising an additional £700 for Wakefield Hospice. With a very real fear of heights, Claire managed to complete the challenge after a week of nightmares and a little cry at the top!!
2022 & 2023 Pyjama Day Fundraisers for Wakefield Hospice:
We participated in not one, but two Pyjama Day fundraisers for Wakefield Hospice, bringing a touch of comfort and warmth to those in need.
2024 Wakefield Hospice Volunteer Day:
Our commitment to Wakefield Hospice extends to a dedicated Volunteer Day where 12 We Are Wakefield members devoted a full day to support the retail and eBay teams. By contributing our time and skills, we aimed to bolster the efforts that raise valuable funds for patient care at Wakefield Hospice. It’s our way of directly impacting the lives of those in need and supporting the incredible work of Wakefield Hospice.
2023 Working Carers Champions Workshop:
We supported a workshop for Working Carers Champions to support them in reaching employers to help identify who their working carers are. The workshop also supported with:
– Identifying local support for carers and line managers.
– Raising awareness of the latest legislation to support carers’ rights.
– Providing resources to support working carers.
– Signposting to national resources for carers.
– Understanding the barriers and find practical solutions to support carers in an organisation.
Founding Patron of Wakefield Cathedral and Silver Partners at Theatre Royal Wakefield:
We proudly serve as a Founding Patron of Wakefield Cathedral and hold the esteemed position of Silver Partners at Theatre Royal Wakefield, supporting these iconic institutions that play a vital role in our community.
2023 Big Give Christmas Challenge for Theatre Royal Wakefield:
We joined forces with eight members to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge for Theatre Royal Wakefield, collectively raising an impressive £3300.
“The support and opportunities that We Are Wakefield have offered has been invaluable. The chance to network, share what we are up to and be so valued is rare.
We are delighted to be able to partner up with We Are Wakefield for our 2023 Big Give appeal that ended up raising over £3k for the Theatre. Without WAW and its members we wouldn’t have been able to take part.”
Sarah Shooter, Head of Development, Theatre Royal Wakefield.
WACCL (Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch):
Our Managing Director, Claire Sutherley, plays an active role in the committee organising WACCL, Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch, an event that raised a staggering £26,000 for Children’s Charities in the Wakefield District in 2023.
2023 50km Challenge for Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation:
We rallied our members to participate in the 50km Challenge, raising funds to support the initiatives of the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation.
2024 Prosper Wakefield District – Proper-ous New Year event
Our first event of 2024 saw a collaboration with Prosper Wakefield District.
We gave insights into community impact where attendees heard about the crucial work taking place in the Eastmoor area, one of the most deprived wards in Wakefield, directly from St Swithun’s representatives.
Julie Booth, Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager at Prosper, and Chief Executive Kath Lindley shared insights into how Prosper supports community organisations like St Swithun’s.
2024 Yorkshire Air Ambulance Fundraising Event:
Yorkshire Air Ambulance Twilight Networking Event to raise funds and awareness for the lifesaving work they do. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance plays a critical role in providing swift and essential medical care, and we are honoured to contribute to their mission.