This year marked a major milestone for CBO. After a decade of providing high quality project, consultancy, and assurance services to hundreds of valued clients, we wanted to commemorate the occasion in a meaningful way, by giving back to the local community.
Unable to decide on just one way to do so, the team settled on a ‘10 for 10’ initiative, undertaking 10 different fundraisers throughout the year to support local charities.
As part of CBO’s office move in April, the team hosted a hamper raffle to be in with a chance of winning one of 15 hampers full of local gifts, food and drink. All proceeds from the raffle went to This is EPIC, a local charity which benefits people experiencing poverty in Uganda.
CBO matched the £400 which was raised from the hamper sale, securing an £800 donation for This is EPIC. The money will be used to help people rise out of poverty in Uganda, through a savings and loans project.
‘Every penny raised has a direct impact to changing lives through our village savings and loans projects,’ said Louise Smith, director of This is EPIC.
‘The £800 raised will help support one village savings and loans group for a year. The project teaches villagers how to save their money together and use that to provide small loans to the group members, providing access funds for income-generating activities.
‘At the end of the 12 months, all members receive a lump sum of money from the interest to build a more sustainable future for themselves and their families. Generally, this is used to boost their businesses further, or pay for school fees, medical expenses, buy mosquito nets or even a first pair of shoes for a child.’
Partaking in the annual Rock to Rocque cycle ride on the 30th May was the second of CBO’s fundraisers. Six CBO staff and seven children set out on the island-wide ride to raise money for Les Bourgs Hospice.
‘It was fantastic to raise money for a well-deserved local charity,’ said director, Ed Mason-Smith.
‘We had a number of clients cheering us on throughout the route up to when reached the finish line in town – it was great fun for the whole team as well as the kids.’
CBO completed the challenge on a variety of different bikes, with consultant Alice Beale completing the 23.6-mile circuit with her two children on the back of her bike. Mr Mason-Smith had some powered assistance, riding an electric cargo bike with his three children as passengers. Overall, the CBO team raised £480 for Les Bourgs Hospice.
CBO is now taking part in their third fundraiser of the year, the 30 bays in 30 days challenge raising money for Les Bourgs Hospice.
