Leading hospitality specialist BaxterStorey has raised over £175,000 for charity in 2017, with contributions going to both local and global charitable organisations including Action Against Hunger, Springboard and Hospitality Action.
BaxterStorey colleagues have been working hard over the past 12 months raising money through extraordinary acts such as sky dives, dragon boat races, five-a-side football tournaments and sponsored marathons. Meanwhile, BaxterStorey customers have been getting involved, raising funds by selling specially made products such as pancakes at RBS Scotland for the STV Big Scottish Breakfast. Over the festive period BaxterStorey staff at EBS organised a Christmas market at the company’s head office, with proceeds going to the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People and colleagues at RTE launched a special water bottle, following the launch of the new edition of the ‘The Joshua Tree’ album, with all profits donated to Focus Ireland. Teams have also been getting hands on, donning their overalls to participate in local volunteer days helping out local charities with gardening, painting and decorating.
Over £140,000 of the total came from the purchase of Down to Earth coffee sold at BaxterStorey locations. 1p from each sale is donated to The WSH Foundation, which supports charitable causes in local communities, from awarding hospitality scholarships to funding school kitchen garden projects; helping young people understand where food comes from. To date, the scheme has raised over £1.8 million.
Noel Mahony, Co-Chief Executive at BaxterStorey, said: “Supporting charity initiatives is important to our business and we are proud to have raised over £175,000 throughout 2017. Thanks to the phenomenal fundraising efforts of our teams across the business, we can support a wide range of charities that help improve the lives of so many within the local communities of our sites and further afield.”
On top of the £175,000 total, BaxterStorey’s Executive Chef, Hayden Groves, has so far raised an impressive £38,663.05 for Cure Leukaemia, following a 10,000km cycle ride across Europe taking on the three grand tours – the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana. Upon his return Hayden launched ‘Back in the Saddle’, a unique cookbook containing recipes inspired by his journey. All proceeds of the book were donated to the charity.
Commenting on the company’s links to charity within the industry, Noel said; “Our close connection to charities related to the hospitality industry has allowed us to not only donate funds but also offer our expertise and support. One partnership we are particularly proud is social enterprise Brigade restaurant, run by BaxterStorey and owned by PwC that offers training and skill tutorial to apprentices from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I would like to extend a special thanks to all of our employees, clients and customers that continue to help us raise such an incredible amount for those in need.”