Soft drink company's staff all pledge to fundraise for cancer charity
Ginger giant AG Barr has pledged to put some fizz in a major charity’s fundraising efforts.
The company, which makes Irn Bru, has announced a new three-year partnership that will see it donate over £150,000 to help Macmillan Cancer Support.
Barr employees will also raise funds for the charity, which provides support for people diagnosed with cancer, and their family and friends.
Macmillan Cancer Support became AG Barr’s chosen charity after 1,000 employees based at 10 sites across the UK took part in a company-wide vote.
This will help to fund Macmillan’s vital practical, medical, emotional and financial support services
Barr’s company donation will support Macmillan nursing care and key Macmillan support centres in Scotland and England.
Every Barr employee will also set out to raise £27 each during a year of the partnership. £27 funds one hour of MacMillan nursing care – so staff aim to raise enough to fund 3,000 hours of nursing help and support for thousands of people with cancer across the country.
Staff fundraising activities will include the Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning, Christmas fundraising and Power an Hour challenges like sponsored walks, road races and cycling.
Roger White, chief executive at AG Barr, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support does phenomenal work to improve the lives of people across the UK and help them fight their personal battles with cancer. Our employees voted resoundingly in favour of supporting Macmillan and we’re proud to be doing our bit to support and fundraise for the charity.”
Janice Preston, head of services at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are absolutely delighted at this very generous donation from AG Barr which will help to fund Macmillan’s vital practical, medical, emotional and financial support services to help ensure no-one has to face cancer alone.
“The additional individual fundraising from AG Barr staff over the next three years will also make a real difference by funding Macmillan nurses who do so much to help people affected by cancer.
!To have been chosen as AG Barr’s charity of choice by their staff is wonderful and we are incredibly grateful for the support they have shown Macmillan by choosing us, as well as the donations we will receive as a result of it.”
