Our team at the Global Innovation Centre is passionate about showing support to causes that are close to our hearts. Here are some of the brilliant projects we’ve been involved in so far in 2019.

 

Ian Bishop – Be Free Young Carers

Earlier in 2019, Ian committed to running a series of half-marathons, to not only give himself a challenge, but to raise money in aid of local charity ‘Be Free Young Carers’. The charity supports young people across Southern Oxfordshire who are carers for others, offering them support, guidance and the chance to take some time to enjoy themselves.

Ian has completed five of his seven half-marathons so far and has raised £2,000 so far for the charity. The charity have confirmed that the money raised is being used to pay for a summer day out to the coast for the young carers.

Read more about Ian’s story and the great cause he’s supporting.  

 

GIC Sports & Social 2019 Charity of the Year – Contact the Elderly

Every year, our sports and social committee select a charity to sponsor throughout the year. Our GIC 2019 charity is ‘Contact the Elderly’, the national charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation amongst older people living in the UK.

Throughout the year, several events have and will continue to be held in honour of the charity, and a final donation will be made to the charity in January 2020. The team will also be pledging time to the charity to get involved with their work in the local area. 

To find out more about the charity or pledge your support for the life-changing work they do, visit the new sports and social JustGiving page.

 

Sharen McCarthy - Motor Neurone Disease Association

In March 2019, Sharen from our finance team ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon, raising money for Motor Neurone Disease Association. Sharen and the team at the GIC held a bake sale in honour of the charity, and the combination of funds raised from the bake sale and sponsorship totalled a brilliant £822.79.

 

Richard Bodkin – Starfish Greathearts Foundation

On 10^th May 2019, Richard from our Innovation team took part in an 8-hour-long run for a charity that is very important to him. Throughout the day, people from Element Six and around the Harwell Campus joined Richard for a mile or more, to raise money for Starfish Greathearts Foundation. Richard ran 39 miles throughout the day, with participants bringing the total number of laps up to 97.

The event was in preparation for a 56-mile ultramarathon that Richard ran on 9^th June 2019, and to date his efforts have raised £821 for the charity.