Dropping kilos for a good cause

Sunday 29 January 2017

£1 for every pound – that’s the goal behind a special new weight loss initiative, aiming to benefit more than just dieters.

Faciltiies management specialists from AFM across Jersey and Guernsey are currently dropping kilos as part of a fundraising challenge in aid of Les Amis, a charity providing help, care and accommodation to those with learning disabilities.

It comes as a result of a brand new partnership between the two groups.

AFM started a three-month search for a charity to support back in October last year. Three months and dozens of applications later, the company decided to back thanks to its “incredible” community work to empower those with learning disabilities to reach their full potential.

“We want to be able to help raise their profile even more in the community,” Karen Girdlestone, Commercial Manager of AFM, commented.

“The charity does a fantastic job supporting and empowering people in the island with learning disabilities. Les Amis provides residential, outreach and respite care, and its aim is to encourage and support. We hope that our partnership, providing practical and fundraising help, will allow them to reach even more people in the community,” she said,

The new partnership will see the pair work together on a variety of fundraising initiatives, ranging from a Valentine’s Day hot chocolate sale, and bingo and karaoke sessions to this month’s weight loss challenge.

Funds generated from the charity collaboration will go towards providing better accommodation for Les Amis’ residents, as Lauren Carré, PR, Marketing and Fundraising Manager for Les Amis explained:

“At Les Amis our properties are not hostels or lodging houses, they are the homes and the ‘castles’ of our residents. We are incredibly grateful to be AFM’s chosen charity of the year as they understand how important it is for a living environment to be both functional and comfortable.

“Some of our properties are starting to deteriorate so we hope AFM will share their skills and expertise to help us maintain and rejuvenate our homes. We also hope that AFM will take part in some of our fundraising activities, like the Plankathon or Mastercook, and get to know our residents.

“I really look forward to working with AFM this year and getting to know their team."