Girlguides in Derbyshire unite in social action for charity
Across Derbyshire hundreds of Girlguiding units have raised thousands of pounds for charity as part of their commitment to social action.
Members raised £22,596 through a range of fundraising activity, which could help fund 807 Macmillan nursing hours, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.
Girlguiding Midlands launched their 12-month charity partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support in January 2017 with a programme of activities to volunteer, raise funds and awareness for the charity.
Annette Heartfield, County Commissioner for Derbyshire, said:-
“We’re so proud of our members who used the partnership to raise a large amount of money but had lots of fun whilst doing it.”
Through their ‘Macmillan Challenge’ – a programme of fundraising activities including Mile for Macmillan and Dress Up and Dance and World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – Girlguiding Midlands have collectively raised more than £113,800 – enough to help run a Macmillan Information and Support Centre for a whole year. The activities were chosen to easily fit in with Girlguiding Midlands programme of events and to encourage the engagement and participation of the 72,000 members across the region.
Abi Salter, Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding Midlands, said:-
“I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of the Macmillan Challenge. Thousands of girls and leaders have taken part across the Midlands and the amount raised is fantastic. Girlguiding offers a wide range of opportunities to our members and this challenge has enabled our girls to help other people as well as having a lot of fun along the way. I would like to thank everyone who has made the Challenge such a huge success.”
Social action and helping others is a core part of the guiding programme and working in partnership with Macmillan has encouraged Girlguiding Midlands members to get actively involved.
Gini Smith, Partnership Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:-
“We would like to say an enormous thank you to each and every member of Girlguiding Midlands who has supported our partnership. You have run, walked, danced and baked in true Girlguiding style. Together they have raised a massive £112,000, exceeding all expectations. It’s been a fantastic partnership and we were delighted to see so many events taking place across the region. We can’t thank you enough. ”
By participating in The Macmillan Challenge, members of Girlguiding Midlands have made a real positive difference to those living with cancer through three strands of social action – fundraising, awareness and volunteering – with bespoke Girlguiding badges available for each.
Claire Singlehurst, Director of Relationship Fundraising at Macmillan, said:-
“We are overwhelmed by the success of this partnership with Girlguiding Midlands. We have seen such a great commitment to the ‘Macmillan Challenge’ and hope that members of Girlguiding Midlands enjoyed being part of “Team Macmillan” over the last year. Thank you to everyone who took part. As the leading cancer support charity in the UK we were also able to support members of Girlguiding Midlands to talk about cancer and inspire them to make healthy choices in the future leaving a lasting legacy for years to come.”
