Subscribe to Whizz-Kidz NewsWhizz-Kidz celebrates half a million pound partnership with ‘Mecca Wheel Difference’
Mecca Wheel Difference’, the two-year fundraising campaign from Mecca Bingo and young people’s mobility charity Whizz-Kidz, has surpassed its target of £400,000, raising a fantastic £516,000 over two years.
The partnership smashed its goal of half a million pounds through club events, challenges and in-house games; as well as unique quarterly recycling campaigns such as ‘Mobiles for Mobility’ and the inspired ‘Heels for Wheels’ which culminated in an online auction of celebrity footwear.
The club fundraising events ranged from the sublime to the scary – with team members taking part in sponsored head shaves, ghost-hunting on a paranormal Halloween night, a
mass-club parachute jump, and even a sponsored shark dive!
Whizz-Kidz also benefitted from some unique corporate opportunities – notably during an international game for Rugby League’s Wigan Warriors where the charity’s logo took the place of sponsor Mecca Bingo on the Rugby shirts. These limited edition shirts were then auctioned to fans – with money going to the campaign fundraising total.
Mark Jones, Managing Director of Mecca Bingo comments: “The partnership with Whizz-Kidz in 2008/9 was the first charity of the year 
partnership that we’ve undertaken and we have not looked back. We’ve raised over £500k, funding mobility equipment for many children within the communities that we operate, and our team members and customers have wholeheartedly embraced it.
“I have personally been impressed by the ingenuity of the fundraising, and by the manner in which individual clubs took the charity to their hearts; working so hard to make a difference to local children. £500,000 over two years is no mean feat – we accomplished what we set out to achieve, and I applaud everyone involved.”
Ruth Owen, Chief Executive of Whizz-Kidz, added; “We are thrilled with the enthusiasm and hard work of all of the generous Mecca teams and club members in raising half a million pounds to support young wheelchair-users’ independence over the last two years. They have proved to be superb and talented fundraisers!
“The money raised during ‘Mecca Wheel Difference’ has supported young disabled people through powered and manual wheelchairs and equipment, and training. Hundreds more local children now have the opportunities previously denied them. It is a fantastic result, and one we’re all very proud to have achieved.”
Mecca Bingo supported the National Bingo Gaming Association’s (NBGA) Bingo for Breakthrough appeal from 2003 to 2007; the two-year partnership with Whizz-Kidz is the first time the national chain adopted its own charity partnership – with the aim of supporting different local communities over time.
- Share:
