The 2019 Edition of the #FamilyBizSantaDash, organised by Family Business United (FBU) and Plan Insurance Brokers, took place earlier this month. Dozens of bags of warm clothing and blankets were collected from generous FBU members across the country. In addition, more than £3,000 were raised for youth homelessness charity Centrepoint UK.
Paul Andrews, founder of Family Business United, and Scott Georgiades, Founder of Plan Insurance, boarded a festively decorated van for a mighty road trip that started in Plymouth and concluded in London. They visited a number of family firms to collect items of warm clothing and blankets, as well as unwanted CDs and DVDs to be converted into cash.
Paul Andrews, founder of FBU, explains:
“Each year we like to try and do something to make a difference and in December and given that FBU is all about families in business with family values at the core of these businesses, we wanted to do something that resonates with who we are as an organisation. So, we have just completed our third Family Business Santa Dash, collecting warm clothes to distribute to the homeless and funds to support youth homelessness too.”
Plan’s Scott Georgiades added:
“It is always a great event to be part of. Coming from a family firm we recognise the contribution that the firms visited make to the economy on a daily basis and this is a way to engage and make a difference by giving something back. The welcome that we received along the route was fantastic and the initial concept was only to collect warm clothing and blankets which we distribute directly to those in need, with a large amount being handed out as part of the #TaxiWarmClothing appeal on The Strand. To be able to raise over £3,000 as well for CentrepointUK and the work that they do is a real bonus.”
The Family Business United Santa Dash gets bigger and better every year. For this latest edition, 11 firms sponsored the “sleigh”:
Brewers Decorator Centres, Birketts, G Seller, Kin Alliance, Perrywood Nurseries, Littles Chauffeurs, The Victor Pizza Company, Bagnalls, Western Pension Solutions, Hawkshead Relish and Seven Investment Management.
And 12 were visited during the road trip:
New Wave Marine, Hanbury-Autogil, Brewers Decorator Centres, Brend Hotels, St Bridgets Nurseries, Darts Farm, MJ Baker Foodservice, Ridgeview Winery, Wyke Farms, Pattersons, Bath Ales and St Austell Brewery.
“This is an important campaign for us to bring the family business community together and has grown into an integral part of the FBU calendar. We could not do it without the incredible support of Plan and it is a real pleasure to work with them on the campaign each year. Our ‘sleigh’ sponsors were also fantastic and the family firms that we visited were so supportive, embracing the idea and welcoming us with open arms and kind hearts. It is a week away from the office but far from being a chore, it is wonderful to see the family business community pull together and collectively make such a difference. It is a shame that homelessness is such a major issue across the UK but a pleasure to do something that will undoubtedly make a small difference this Christmas.”
Paul Andrews, FBU Founder
We were delighted to be part of this event once again, and amazed by everyone’s generosity. We are looking forward to next year’s edition, and to help make a difference for those in need.
To find out more about the Santa Dash, make a donation or get involved in the 2020 edition, please click here.
To check out the pics of our week on the road, click here.