Global integrated logistics and materials management company ASCO has raised more than £20,000 over the past year to support a range of charities and good causes across the world.
In addition to raising vital funds, staff from across the company’s bases in the UK, Norway, Australia, Canada, Senegal and Trinidad and Tobago also volunteered their time to support local projects internationally.
Activities ranged from beach cleans in Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth and Trinidad, building a polytunnel at Camphill School, Aberdeen, providing mental health awareness and support in Conklin, Canada, and in Trinidad and filling “blessing bags” for men’s and women’s shelters in Australia, to building STEM workbenches for Burnhaven School in Aberdeenshire and supporting a STEM workshop at Aberdeen Science Centre.
Fundraising initiatives included team members running, cycling, walking, taking part in the Kiltwalk, skydiving, organising barbecues and coffee mornings, raffles and sweepstakes, and growing moustaches as part of Movember across the world from Australia to Canada.
“Our teams across the globe have raised a fantastic amount of money and donated hundreds of hours of their time to support worthwhile charities and organisations at every one of our bases,” said Peter France, ASCO CEO. “We know from the feedback we get that their efforts are making an enormous difference to their local communities and the people who live in them.
“Since ASCO Lifestyle was set up in 2008, more than £100,000 has been raised for good causes in the UK alone, with further funds raised around the world. As a business we are committed to giving back to our local communities but the extra value to that comes from the generosity and commitment of our employees.”
ASCO Lifestyle, ASCO's philanthropic arm, comprises three branches: ASCO Giving, which is focused on supporting charitable organisations; ASCO Community, which looks at opportunities for playing an active role in local communities and ASCO Support, which provides employees with assistance in times of individual need.
In its first year, ASCO Lifestyle helped more than 80 UK charities as well as several ASCO employees. It was so successful it was rolled out globally the following year.
Each year ASCO employees are given the opportunity to nominate a chosen charity for the region to support, with final charities chosen through an internal vote. The chosen charity is supported by ASCO Giving for that year.
Charities and organisations benefiting from ASCO support over the past year have included AberNecessities in North-east Scotland, Runham Wildlife Centre in Great Yarmouth, the Cancer Council in Australia, Carenage Girls Government Primary School and The Associates Radiotherapy Centre in Trinidad and Tobago, the Lions Club charity and multiple sporting clubs in Norway, an orphanage in Senegal, as well as food banks and shelters, and various Christmas appeals across all locations.
Charities selected for the next round of fundraising and support include CLAN Cancer Support in North-east Scotland, Nelson's Journey, child bereavement support in Norfolk, Cancer Council WA in Australia and Mental Helse, a mental health charity in Norway.
Read more about ASCO's Lifestyle initiative here.