08 Jun 2009 | Ref. 095/2009
FARNBOROUGH, UK – Staff at BAE Systems have embarked on a five day fundraising blitz at facilities around the world in a bid to raise £1 million for charity.
The Five Day Global Charity Challenge will see over 20,000 employees competing in fundraising activities such as fun runs, golf tournamanents, Guitar Hero challenges and Wii championships. Over 140 events are planned in total, with a different activity getting underway every hour of the day from Monday 8 June to Friday 12 June to raise money for partner charities around the world, including Sue Ryder Care in the UK, The Leukemia Foundation in Australia and America Supports You in the US.
Kim Phipps, Charity Challenge Campaign Leader at BAE Systems, said: “BAE Systems is not just an employer it also plays an important role in supporting local communities.
“It’s 20 years since we launched our Charity Challenge programme to support charities in communities where BAE Systems operates around the world. This is the first time that the company has launched a coordinated global event and we’re aiming to significantly boost the almost £4.5 million worldwide already raised as part of our latest campaign.”
Lucy Jenkins, Business Development Account Manager at BAE Systems partner charity, Sue Ryder Care, said: “The enthusiasm and commitment that BAE Systems’ employees have shown, and continue to show, to support Sue Ryder Care is fantastic. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all who got involved during the company’s global five days of fundraising to support us – it really is appreciated.
“All money raised is vital funds that will help our doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals continue to provide quality care for people living with end of life and long-term conditions including; cancer, strokes, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease”
As part of Charity Challenge, BAE Systems actively supports and encourages all employees to take part in charitable fundraising and volunteering activities, with the aim of contributing to the communities in which the company operates. Under the programme BAE Systems matches funds raised by staff and gives extra financial support to charities that provide employee volunteering opportunities, such as gardening, professional advice, IT training and drama workshops. Each Charity Challenge campaign runs for eighteen months – during the last campaign employees raised over £6 million and volunteered over 61,300 hours.
BAE Systems is committed to being actively involved in the local community supporting the armed forces and their families, launching education events to increase the numbers of local children studying science and technology subjects to help boost our UK skills base and supporting advice groups for the disabled.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
For further information, please contact:
Mike Dennehy, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384782
Mob: +44 (0) 7793 427132
michael.dennehy@baesystems.com
Kristina Crowe, Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 257 9821
Mob: +44 (0)7841 279 859
Kristina.crowe@bisslancaster.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
