Given that it’s our stated mission at AXA to make life better for people in everything we do, it won’t come as a surprise that we support a wide range of worthy causes.
What we’re really proud of, is the level of commitment and enthusiasm which our members of staff bring to our charity activities, through fundraising and by giving their time and expertise. This is no mere corporate nod to community involvement; time and again, our staff go way above and beyond to make a positive difference.
This applies whether the cause in question is a large national charity or a smaller local project; here are just some examples of the energy we’ve applied over the last twelve months:
Hearts in Action
Hearts in Action is AXA’s global volunteer programme which builds links between our business, our people and our local communities.
The last year has seen exceptional levels of activity in the UK, with more than half of our employees getting involved in just under 100 Hearts in Action events for around 50 charity partners.
Each of our 24 offices chooses its own initiative to get involved in, from major events like Children in Need to local charities such as SERV Kent (which delivers essential blood products to hospitals and hospices). Sponsored activities, painting, weeding, running workshops in schools – we do all of these and much more.
One of the biggest events of the year took place during the summer at the National Trust’s Sheffield Park. Eighty members of our IT and sales departments got together to improve pathways, remove non-native vegetation and carry out other woodland management tasks.
Their energy levels were as impressive as their numbers, according to Sheffield Park’s Trees and Woodland Officer Tom Hill:
“The group were brilliant and it was a fantastic team effort from them, especially on a wet day. They kept going and with a great attitude and spirit throughout – I’d welcome them back again!”
Andy Jesson, Head of Gardening, added:
“The teams said they’d see us next year – I do hope so, they are a great bunch.”
Try keeping us away, Andy…
Taylor Made Dreams
Taylor Made Dreams is a charity that enables children with life-limiting conditions to make their dreams come true and also provides support to their families in the form of holistic therapy and counselling. The charity was set up by the mother of an 11 year old boy, Taylor Mitchell, who in 2008 was diagnosed with an incurable illness which changed his and his family’s life forever.
When the staff in our Tunbridge Wells office learned about this valuable and life-affirming work, they took the decision to hold a week of fundraising events in support of this worthy cause.
Departments got busy with activities including cake sales, treasure hunts and spot the ball competitions, ‘name the teddy’ and ‘sweets in the jar’ contests – and our Sales Relationship Team even produced a photographic calendar.
A total of over £3,200 was raised during this week which inspired further fundraising days that have collectively raised over £25,000. We intend to supplement this with practical support to help the charity go on providing unique and wonderful experiences to children in the future.
Taylor’s favourite T-shirt bore the words: ‘Never ever, ever, ever, ever give up’. They inspired him, they inspired the charity in his name and they inspire us to go on giving back as much as we can.
‘Never ever, ever, ever, ever give up’
Those were the words on the favourite T-shirt of Taylor Mitchell, the courageous young man in whose memory his mother Suzi set up the charity Taylor Made Dreams.
The charity enables children who, like Taylor, have life-limiting conditions to make their dreams come true. It also provides support to their families in the form of holistic therapy and counselling.
When we learned about this valuable and life-affirming work, and about Taylor’s unquenchable spirit, it struck a real chord with us.
Our staff, always looking to support such causes, took the decision themselves to hold a week of fundraising events in our Tunbridge Wells head office.
Departments got busy with activities including cake sales, treasure hunts and spot the ball competitions, ‘name the teddy’ and ‘sweets in the jar’ contests – and our Sales Relationship Team even produced a photographic calendar.
A grand total of over £3,200 was raised, and we intend to supplement this with practical support to help the charity go on providing unique and wonderful experiences to children in the future.
AXA has now raised a total over £25,000 for Taylor Made Dreams, like the inspirational Taylor, we don’t want them to ever, ever, ever, ever give up.
