Here are some examples of how a corporate partnership can be great fun and incredibly rewarding. Any partnership will usually incorporate a fundraising element but other opportunities such as PR, staff involvement and product awareness can also be achieved.

Charity Partnerships

"Doosan Babcock considers seriously its responsibility for its broader impact on society and its values as an organisation. Doosan Babcock has taken many active steps to become a 'good corporate neighbour', including the introduction of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project called 'Our Community', which supports charities, educational and sports and the arts organisations and local community initiatives.
Our CSR programme not only has a positive impact on the local community, but it also provides employees with an opportunity to be involved in a meaningful range of activities, thus giving back to the local community.

By supporting local community initiatives, Doosan Babcock improves employee engagement developed through the creation of a trusted environment, where the company's values are focused on more than just 'business as usual', thus becoming a highly desirable employer. A strong ‘employer brand’ is a strong attraction for potential employees, while nurturing a trusting relationship with current employees."
Jacqui Lucas - Corporate Communications Officer
www.doosanbabcock.com

Sponsorship

Highly-acclaimed portrait photographer, Steve Gubbins of Warnham, West Sussex, is jointly sponsoring our 2010 Midnight Walk.

In 1995 Steve was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  Many months of treatment followed and during this time, St. Catherine’s contacted Steve and said they had a bed available for him.  “After their initial home visit, St. Catherine’s telephoned me weekly to see if I wished to take up their offer of a place in the hospice.  I had an incredibly positive attitude towards the disease and totally believed I would beat it.  Here I am fifteen years later, fit and well”.

In addition to being a joint sponsor, Steve is offering a professional portrait shoot in his Studios to include a Gift Portrait for just £30.00 to all 2010 Midnight Walk participants.  Vouchers can be purchased from him by telephone on 01403 264777or by email: enquiries@stevegubbins.co.uk.  All monies from voucher sales will be donated directly to St. Catherine’s Hospice.

Steve has raised funds in the past for the hospice and we are delighted that he has now chosen to support one of our largest community events in this way. 
 

Beauty Works, Horsham, is proud to be a joint sponsor of the 2010 Midnight Walk. Debbie Pickles, who owns and runs Beauty Works, heard first-hand about the work of St Catherine’s Hospice through a friend of her daughter whose young mother was cared for by the hospice.

“Through my business, I have several hospice nurses who come to me for treatments and I know the additional funds from my sponsorship of the 2010 St Catherine’s Midnight Walk will go directly towards paying for the work they do. Such monies will enable the hospice to continue to provide high quality hospice care, free of charge, to people living in Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Surrey.

We are richly blessed with having St Catherine’s in our local area and I feel very strongly about supporting these vital services it provides.

Please do visit my website www.beauty-works.biz where you can read my account of last year’s Midnight Walk for St Catherine’s.” Debbie Pickles 01403 267728

Dragon Boat Festival

"There was great enthusiasm from everyone on campus to support our fund-raising activities and, despite the weather, the Dragon Boat Festival event was a huge success. Finishing third overall in our first time entry was a fantastic result and something we intend to defend at next year's festival. Although we were initially surprised at the number of people from RSA who had personal experience and connection with St Catherine's, we came to realise that this results from the diversity and value of services that the Hospice provides to the local community. "
Sarah Jane Dowling - RSA Community Investment Team Treasurer
www.rsagroup.com
 

"CGGVeritas have supported St Catherine’s Hospice Dragon Boat event since 2005, when a group of Hawaiian dressed employees first took the water to come an impressive 2nd.  This annual event is an employee favourite, and the company competed again in 2006 as Vikings and in 2007 as Red Indians. Each year we have reached the finals and challenged for the top spot. The event is an adrenalin fuelled competition and an entertaining day that is enjoyed by both those on the water and our supporters. 2008 produced our best performance, winning the fancy dress competition and narrowly coming 2nd. All that eludes us is a 1st place finish so bring on 2009! But it isn’t all about winning; since 2005 the company and employees have raised thousands of pounds for St Catherine’s Hospice.
CGGVeritas is a global oil services company that has been based in Crawley since October 1995, employing approximately 400 people. Whether it is dragon boat racing or sponsored bike rides, being involved in the local community is an important value of the company and its employees, and we are proud to support many local charities."
Stephen Grice - Sales and Marketing Geophysicist
www.cggveritas.com

"Nervous anticipation gripped the 7-oar-7's tent, our time had come to get into the life-jackets and head off to the boat. Although it was our 5th year, the excitement was evident. The team, all trying to encourage each other in an attempt to beat our previous best position of 3rd from last! The team lowered themselves into the boat; this is when the nerves start jangling. The boat's helmsman gave us our instructions and away we went to the start line. Before we knew it, the race was on; our drummer has shouting and drumming as loudly as possible, willing us to paddle faster. Team members shouted encouragement to each other and the boat made its way steadily towards the finish line. As soon as it began, it was over. We'd made it. As we got back to the bank and made our way to the timekeepers hut, we saw that we'd posted our best time ever! For us, mid-table was a fantastic result.
The Virgin Atlantic 7-oar-7's love to support St Catherine's Hospice. By taking part in this event, we get together as a team and while raising money for the hospice we can spend time remembering former colleagues who have been cared for by         St Catherine's.
Since it was founded twenty-four years ago, Virgin Atlantic Airways has become Britain’s second largest airline serving the world’s major cities."
Carl Forsdick - Team Leader
www.virgin-atlantic.com