Charity of the year

Each year the Partners and Staff at Burgess Hodgson have the opportunity to nominate a charity to benefit from our annual fundraising efforts. Last year we chose East Kent Mind and Pilgrims Hospice, two charities that formed part of a list of extraordinarily worthwhile charities which were then shortlisted and put to a final vote. Both of the cases put forward for East Kent Mind and Pilgrims Hospice clearly left a lasting impression on the Partners and Staff with the charities emerging from the vote as joint favourites.

Throughout the year we have raised funds through preparing and selling sweat treats, serving strawberries and cream with refreshments in our office gardens, raffling a giant Easter Egg, organising sweepstakes for multiple sporting events, running a well-attended Staff Quiz Night, and hosting large external events such as the Drag Bingo Night and Race Night.

We also supported the Wear It Blue campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week and a number of our Staff have expressed an interest in joining the Charity’s Mentoring and Volunteering initiatives.

We have enjoyed working closely with the Fundraising Team and feel extremely proud to have raised £6,500 for East Kent Mind.

This year at Burgess Hodgson we are pleased to be supporting the following two charities:

Blood Cancer UK 

Macmillan Cancer Support 

Previous charities have included:

• East Kent Mind – Provides quality outcome-based services to make a positive difference to the Mental Health of the people of East Kent.
• Pilgrims Hospices – Pilgrims Hospices offer end of life support through their hospices in Kent, supporting loved ones through some of their most challenging times.
• East Kent Independent Dementia Support – A Kent-based charity that support those living with Dementia
• Kent Cancer Trust – Funds projects that seek to improve the treatment of Kent cancer patients.
• The Canterbury Food Bank  – Provides emergency three-day food parcels to individuals and families in short term financial crisis across Canterbury and surrounding towns.
• Holding On Letting Go – A Kent-based charity that helps children to cope with the death of someone close to them.
• Kent Wildlife Trust – Manages over 65 species-rich nature reserves around the county, as well as local wildlife sites and roadside nature reserves.
• Catching Lives – An independent charity aimed at supporting the rough sleepers, homeless and vulnerably housed in Canterbury and East Kent.
• The Canterbury and District Samaritans – A self-funding branch whose mission is to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and behaviour.
• The Canterbury Umbrella Centre– Provides support to people with mental health problems.
• Canterbury Wheelchair Rugby – A wheelchair rugby club with a mixed team squad of both male and female players with higher levels of impairment.
• SNAAP – Special Needs Advisory & Activities Project – Providing an extensive range of services to children with every kind of disability.
• Dave Lee’s Happy Holidays – Raising funds to provide holidays and outings for the disabled, sick and underprivileged children of Kent and their immediate families.
• The Kent Air Ambulance – A healthcare provider working with the Ambulance Service
• Pilgrims Hospices – Providing specialist hospice care for patients and families across East Kent.
• Demelza – Hospice Care for Children
• The East Kent Breast Cancer Mammography appeal – Raising money for specialist hospital equipment to help detect breast cancer sooner
• St Nicholas School – A community day school providing education to children who have profound severe & complex learning difficulties.
• The Martha Trust – Providing inclusive, lifelong care for people with profound physical and multiple learning disabilities.