Subscribe to Whizz-Kidz NewsWhizz-Kidz Proud to Launch COTY Partnership with BlackRock UK
Whizz-Kidz is proud to have been chosen as international asset management firm BlackRockUK’s charity of the year, from September 2012 – September 2013.
The partnership kicked off in the Edinburgh office on 31 August with a dress down day and raffle, and on Monday 3 September Whizz-Kidz Ambassadors George, Nathan, Robyn and Karl travelled to BlackRock London HQ to host games, raffles, and talk to staff about the difference Whizz-Kidz makes.
The Kidz first challenged staff to guess the costs of their wheelchairs, while they showed them off, whizzed around, and explained the different functions. Hundreds of BlackRock staff donated as they entered the competition, whilst they learned about the many different types of equipment Whizz-Kidz provides and the levels of independence they bring.
Nathan, 15, said: “We had some wild guesses from £250 right up to £40,000! It was interesting to see how much people thought wheelchairs cost, and see them surprised about all the things they can do – like my powered chair which has a riser and can turn corners very quickly.”
BlackRock winners, with Whizz-Kidz Ambassadors George and Robyn
The lucky guessers were:
- Bruno Hemeuky made the winning guess for Robyn’s chair
- Richard Hooper made the winning guess for Karl’s chair
- Gareth Stokely made the winning guess for George’s chair
- Colin Stewart made the winning guess for Nathan’s chair
After hearing from Whizz-Kidz CEO Ruth Owen, George, 17, and Robyn, 9, BlackRock London staff organised raffles on giant Whizz-Kidz cupcakes (homemade by the wonderful Sarah), and a giant bottle of Rioja. They also sold mini cupcakes and made sweepstakes around the Paralympics – with all money going to Whizz-Kidz.
The teams in London and Edinburgh raised a combined total of £4711– which BlackRock is match-funding, taking us to an amazing £9,422 on the first day of the partnership alone.
We were able to use these funds right away to supply a chair for a young person on our waiting list. Neil who lives in Burtonwith his parents and younger sister has cerebral palsy and the NHS manual wheelchair he currently uses has meant he is completely reliant on his parents or teachers pushing him around. As a vocal eighteen year-old with a strong sense of his own mind, this has left him frustrated and feeling shut out from the life he wants to be leading.
Neil has received his new wheelchair, bought by BlackRock
Neil and his family want to say a huge thank you to BlackRock for transforming his life – literally overnight.
This is just the start of a great year ahead of events and staff fundraising with BlackRock. We can’t wait.
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