Aquila Heywood raises £80,000

Successful fundraising partnership ends on an high after five years.

Group of people from Aquila Heywood holding Francis House charity balloons and banners — L-R, Sarah Wildman, Alastair MacPherson from Aquila Heywood, Emma Rapley from Francis House, Tim Lovatt, Beth Penford, James Gowin and Katy Rose from Aquila Heywood.

Generous staff from the leading provider of pensions administration software, Aquila Heywood, celebrated five years of supporting Francis House Children’s Hospice having successfully raised more than £80,000 to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

The 130 staff based in Altrincham, took on several challenges from running gruelling marathons and triathlons to organising dress down days and selling snacks in an office tuck shop.

Numerous donations of clothing, books and other items to sell in the Burnage charity shop, also brought in a steady stream of income to the hospice that supports more than 500 families from across Greater Manchester.

Andy Ross, CEO of Aquila Heywood said: “Our employees get a great sense of achievement, satisfaction and well-being by being able to give something back through the support of a local charity,

“When Francis House was selected in 2014, the choice proved so popular that we continued our support for five years,

“We actively encourage our employees to engage with and contribute to our local community, and this is an important part of our company culture and values.”

Match funding

Generous match funding on all donations has meant the teams personal fundraising efforts were doubly rewarded.

Over the years, several staff have had the opportunity to visit Francis House and see first-hand the work that is done there.

When Calculations Developer, Tim Lovatt, and Senior ImplementationConsultant, James Gowin, ran the London Marathon in 2017, their combined efforts raised £6,700.

Tim Lovatt and James Gowin running — Tim Lovatt and James Gowin training for the 2017 Virgin London Marathon in aid of Francis House

James said: “We were very proud to have raised the money through the London Marathon for Francis House.”

Tim added: “I enjoyed the marathon, but it was my first and last. Francis House is such an amazing place and having been shown around we felt an incredible connection to it.”

A sponsored silence by Beth Penford raised £1,000 and Sarah Wildman and Alastair MacPherson both ran triathlons. Officer manager, Katy Rose, stocked the tuck shop.

Emma Rapley, fundraising officer from Francis House said: “Aquila Heywood have been fantastic and demonstrated such enthusiastic support over the last five years. We will be sad to see them go but all good things must come to an end.”