Home > Get Involved > Corporate support > Corporate case studies
Corporate case studies
Abbey
Abbey was looking for a charity partner and in particular an opportunity to sponsor a high profile event. Whizz-Kidz’ London Marathon team 2007 met their brief. Abbey were in safe hands as we have a long standing association with the UK’s most famous road race.
Whizz-Kidz has one of the largest marathon teams taking part in the event, which offers our sponsor some great brand awareness. The support we offer our team of runners is second to none - both in the run up to the event and on the big day. Our recognised running strip and ‘bunny ears’ were transformed into ‘wings’ to help carry every one of our runners across the finish line.
Abbey were proud sponsors of Whizz-Kidz’ London Marathon team 2007 and, in addition to the brand awareness and PR potential, we also had eight of their employees running for us.
ABN AMRO
Whizz-Kidz are delighted to have been chosen as the ABN AMRO Charity of the Year 2007 - 2008. Throughout the year we will be working with ABN AMRO staff in the UK to raise a target of £250,000 to help disabled children in the Tower Hamlets area.
Robert Lindo, UK Country Executive, ABN AMRO commented:
“As a global organisation we aim to contribute actively to the communities in which we operate. In the UK we focus our charity efforts on our immediate neighbourhood, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Through raising money for Whizz-Kidz we hope to be able to buy 40 wheelchairs for children in this area.”
Our charity of the year partnership with ABN AMRO will transform the lives of local disabled children, by giving them freedom and mobility, whilst ensuring a fun and inspiring year for all ABN AMRO staff.
ABN AMRO is one of our largest corporate supporters for 2007-2008 and the impact of their support will have far-reaching, long-lasting, life-changing effects for local disabled children, their futures and their families.
Argos
Argos and Whizz-Kidz started on the premise of a one-year partnership, but lead to a two-year relationship which raised £560,000.
Fundraising activities across the business ranged from collections to themed fundraising days in-store, as well as mobile phone and inkjet cartridge recycling campaigns.
A major fundraising event took place in the summer of 2004 and tied into the Olympic Games. Argos held a national relay-style event challenging all employees to carry their Olympic rings and flags from store to store. Staff showed their creativity by inviting local football teams, the local fire brigade and famous look-a-likes to help complete the Olympic relay.
Kathryn Thomas, Media Relations Manager said:
"We originally launched our partnership for one year, but the campaign was so successful and the staff had such a great time we extended it for another. Whizz-Kidz is a great cause and the staff enthusiasm and innovative fundraising ideas were extraordinary. It was successful because they really felt they were making a difference to disabled children's lives"
Corney & Barrow
When Lucy Walsh, Managing Director of the City of London wine bar chain, Corney & Barrow ran the London Marathon for Whizz-Kidz, she was so inspired that she signed Whizz-Kidz as their new charity partner.
Working closely with Whizz-Kidz’ corporate team, Corney & Barrow developed a range of promotions and bespoke fundraising events aimed at their city clientele. The events programme included a Summer Croquet League and Rubber Duck Race. These not only raised funds, but generated some great local PR.
Credit Suisse
Whizz-Kidz is thrilled to be Credit Suisse’s Charity of the Year 2007.
Our ‘Free to Be Me’ campaign aims to transform the lives of children and young people in London, providing them with the right mobility equipment, as well as fund four wheelchair training programmes in Tower Hamlets. Credit Suisse employees have been quick off the mark to start their fundraising and our calendar of events and volunteering opportunities will guarantee they make a real difference to more young lives.
DHL
DHL’s two-year partnership with Whizz-Kidz not only focused on staff fundraising, but also an innovative skills sharing project which involved staff from both organisations working together and sharing their expertise.
The partnership was driven by the ‘Yellow Wheel Appeal’ which was implemented company wide to ensure cross business ‘buy in’ during a period where the company was going through a merger.
The ‘Skills in Motion’ programme set up a number of skills sharing and personal development opportunities between DHL and Whizz-Kidz employees. Following the evaluation of this programme DHL decided to roll it out across the company and introduce it industry wide working in conjunction with Whizz-Kidz and Business in the Community. In addition, DHL also donated £50,000 worth of courier service.
The ‘Yellow Wheel Appeal’ was short-listed for a Third Sector Excellence Award 2006.
easyJet
Our easyJet partnership raised £350,000 and kicked off with a corporate donation of £50,000, which we utilised through an online ‘click & give’ campaign as part of our website launch.
Over a two-month period cabin crew held on-flight collections on behalf of Whizz-Kidz, raising almost £300,000. This exposed Whizz-Kidz to a new audience of two million passengers and with the added press coverage this really lifted our profile.
Whizz-Kidz also advised easyJet’s newly formed Disability Committee on how they could develop their service for disabled passengers. The group comprised of representatives from the ground crew, staff training and development and media teams. Key members attend our Disability Equality training to increase their awareness of the issues faced by wheelchair users.
As a result of our advice, easyJet’s staff trainer developed their induction training package to help increase awareness amongst new recruits and update existing staff. Our Chief Executive and our Kidz Board shared their personal experiences of flying and presented ideas on how they felt airlines like easyJet could develop their service.
Regular features in their in-flight magazine and in kind gifts also played a part in the delivery of what was a very successful relationship.
EMI
Whizz-Kidz is thrilled to benefit from an ongoing partnership with EMI. The charity values long-term support and EMI’s annual donation helps Whizz-Kidz to give disabled children and young people the independence they deserve.
Goldman Sachs
Whizz-Kidz has been working with Goldman Sachs and its Community Teamwork (CTW) scheme for a number of years. In 2005 Goldman Sachs hosted a Work Skills day for young disabled people at their London office. Five young disabled people benefited from life skills training, which included CV writing, interviewing and presentation skills, as well as real insight into a high pressured work environment. It was a very positive experience for both the young people and the staff who volunteered their time – including their Chief Executive.
Most recently Goldman Sachs has donated £50,000 to fund the exciting new post of Young People’s Assistant. This new role is focused on increasing the active participation of young people in our work whilst offering our Ambassadors new life skills training.
Marmite
When Marmite launched their famous jar in a new ‘squeezy’ version in 2006 they implemented an exclusive eight-week Cause Related Marketing campaign in Tesco as part of their integrated marketing campaign. For every ‘squeezy’ jar sold 10 pence was donated to Whizz-Kidz.
From a two-month period Marmite experienced 60 per cent uplift in sales for this new product. The campaign was supported by in-store floor stickers and ‘shelf talkers’. Marmite recognised that the ‘Whizz-Kidz factor’ had played a major part in achieving this exceptional increase, which also demonstrates the strength of the Whizz-Kidz brand.
Mecca Bingo
Mecca Bingo clubs and online players around the UK are aiming to raise £250,000 in 2008 for Whizz-Kidz through the Mecca Wheel Difference partnership. Each club has set their own target and the money they raise will go towards mobility equipment or a wheelchair skills training scheme within their local area. Simon Wykes, Managing Director of Mecca Bingo, said, “Mecca Bingo is delighted to partner with Whizz-Kidz for 2008. We are looking forward to raising money to buy equipment including powered wheelchairs that will give the children the fun and freedom that they deserve. Mecca clubs are at the heart of their local communities and we know our members and staff will have a lot of fun helping to make a difference, transforming the lives of young people and their families.”
MINI
MINI was looking for a charity partner which reflected their innovative brand values and adventurous outlook. The company was keen to work with us to engage their dealership network, their customers and raise awareness of the charity’s work.
Our strong brand synergy, positive message and ability to motivate staff meant we were well positioned to delivery a successful four year partnership.
Exclusive local customer preview screenings of the 2002 remake of ‘The Italian Job’ - famous for its MINI car chase raised £60,000 and had the local media in a spin. Another highlight was the 2006 International Motor Show where MINI showcased a life-sized arcade game called ‘Fake Invaders’, a twist on ‘Space Invaders’. Motor Show visitors had to pitch their skills against the fake MINIs and a big screen meant that this was a real show-stopper. The 10-day event was a great awareness raiser for the partnership.
Other dealer events, included countryside treasure hunts and a world record attempt MINI mosaic of 224 cars.
Andy Hearn, General Manager, MINI UK, said:
“Working with Whizz-Kidz has been a rewarding experience for everyone concerned and I am delighted that we have been able to raise funds for such a deserving cause”
Tesco
Whizz-Kidz was Tesco Charity of the Year 2006. We were undoubtedly the smallest charity ever to have won this much-prized partnership, but that meant we were all the more determined to ensure it was a huge success.
A dedicated team of four managed the year-long partnership, liaising with over 2,500 sites and 250,000 staff. Our communications and fundraising programme included a dedicated hotline for Tesco staff, an inspirational video and fundraising pack, regular news bulletins, staff fundraising activities, collections and Cause Related Marketing initiatives. The team were out on the road and visited stores and depots across the UK.
The money raised by each of the stores was spent on services for children in the local area. Our young Ambassadors and the children who benefited from the partnership actually visited their local stores to say thank you. This proved to be hugely motivational for staff and a great way to generate local PR.
Our partnership with Tesco is officially over, but money is still rolling in. Our goal was to raise £1.5million to help over 300 children, but we are delighted to report that we have smashed our target and so far raised over £3million.
Debra Stones, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Tesco says:
“Tesco is thrilled at how the staff has taken Whizz-Kidz to their hearts - parts of the company which traditionally have not been involved in fundraising for our chosen charity have exceeded all expectations. Their enthusiasm and energy for Whizz-Kidz has been extraordinary and a clear demonstration of how inspiring everyone has found this remarkable cause. It is also testimony to the excellent support from the dedicated team at Whizz-Kidz”
Whizz-Kidz is currently planning a trial programme of work placements with Tesco in November 2007 for roll out in 2008.
Trader Media Group
Trader Media Group (part of the Guardian Media Group) publishes over 70 publications, including Auto Trader and has 30 centres and 4,000 employees. Our partnership with them was designed to offer both staff fundraising activities and consumer facing initiatives such as Cause Related Marketing.
Staff threw themselves into their fundraising with sponsored runs, collections, rugby and football games, raffles, final hour payroll giving, as well as their annual Whizz-Kidz Big Blue & Yellow week.
A cover price CRM campaign and in-magazine promotions raised further funds and much-needed awareness about the importance of mobility for children.
Michele Madden, Community Relations Manager, Trader Media Group comments:
“Our fundraising soared past the original £30,000 target and went on raise a fantastic £120,000. The enthusiasm and genuine interest from our account manager at Whizz-Kidz was first rate and should take some of the credit for our success. We were supported with clear direction, consistent communications and follow up throughout. As a result our UK wide charity committee members were engaged, informed and enthusiastic throughout. Whizz-Kidz’ professionalism and attention to detail allowed our the partnership to exceed our goal”
I would like to make a regular donation!
As an ambassador I can give something back to the charity and I also enjoy being part of the team