Leeds-based Nexus Vehicle Rental, the UK’s leading tech-driven business mobility provider, has launched its new 2019 charity partnership with Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Sands operates throughout the UK, supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby, working to improve the care bereaved parents receive, and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
Nexus’ initial fundraising has raised £1,135 in December last year through a duvet day raffle, a Christmas jumper, mince pie and mulled wine day. Staff will be participating in further activities to raise money throughout the year, including a directors’ jailbreak in February and a skydive in June, which will raise at least £395 per dive.
Nexus’ Charity Committee aims to raise over £15,000 in 2019, having contributed this amount to St Gemma’s Hospice last year as a result of is two-year partnership. Previous fundraising activity has seen the team encourage staff in hosting donation days, raffles, running the Leeds Half Marathon and completing a ten-mile rowing challenge on Lake Windermere.
Staff also raised £12,000 with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in 2016 through a series of challenges, including a 160-mile round bike ride from Harrogate to Scarborough, and two expeditions to the Yorkshire Dales to complete the Three Peaks Challenge.
David Brennan, CEO at Nexus Vehicle Rental, said: “Our new charity partnership with Sands is one I am immensely proud to be involved with. The team at Nexus is always extremely supportive of our charity partners and our staff really embrace the fundraising activities that take place throughout the year.
“We are keen to replicate and build on our previous fundraising success, seeing much needed donations go to an incredibly important cause that will help the many Sands volunteers and staff support bereaved families across the UK. We have some fantastic events lined up for this year that I know will raise a lot of money for such a worthy cause.”
Last year marked the 40th anniversary since Sands was founded and celebrated the continued support from staff and volunteers, as well as the funding which is used for vital research.
Susy Gould-Obiora, Senior Corporate and Trusts Fundraiser at Sands says, “We are delighted that Nexus has chosen Sands as their Charity of the Year for 2019 and we are looking forward to supporting their fundraising activities over the coming year. Partnerships like this are vital to Sands and will enable us to continue our important work supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and raising awareness of baby loss.”
About Sands
Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth. The charity provides bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and locally through a network of around 100 regional support groups based across the UK.
Sands works in partnership with health professionals, trusts and health boards and offers a range of training programmes and bereavement care resources to ensure that every bereaved parent and family receives the best possible care wherever they are in the UK.
Sands promotes and funds research to better understand the causes of baby deaths. Sands works with governments in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, as well as key influencers and other organisations, to create a world where fewer babies die.
