Aztec Group raised more than £100,000 for charity since lockdown last March. Hundreds of employees at the independent fund and corporate services provider ran virtual and socially distanced events to aid charities, including mental health charity, Mind, in its various office locations.
Exercise activities included walks, runs and swims, as well as Christmas-themed events. They culminated in a 1km for cash challenge, whereby Aztec Group donated £1 or €1 for every km of activity undertaken by an employee.
Money raised will go to local charities including:
Aztec Group CEO, Edward Moore, said: “The pandemic prevented many charities’ fundraising efforts and we also saw a drop in our usual charity support requests from employees, who were unable to do their usual face-to-face activities. However, we still wanted to do our bit to help, so employees came up with alternative ideas to support the charities we hold dear to our hearts.
“Mental health is especially important, so it is interesting that three of our offices chose Mind, which provides invaluable support, advice and lifeline for many people in our community. Looking after our mental health is more important than ever during lockdown, especially as many people have been isolated from friends, family and support networks.
“I am proud of how everyone in our offices came together to support our chosen charities and of how we encouraged each other to focus on our mental health and wellbeing and to keep active during such challenging times.”
Aztec Group runs an employee fundraising matching scheme and doubled the matched salary donations at Christmas to further boost charitable efforts.
Fundraising activities will continue throughout this year and will remain a hybrid of virtual and COVID-safe face-to-face activities, as restrictions ease and the company reconnects its teams, offices and communities in its various jurisdictions.