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Up, up & away! BAE Systems and Sue Ryder Care celebrate new partmership

23 May 2008

Sue Ryder Care and BAE Systems marked the launch of their new partnership with the release of hundreds balloons from the charity’s shops across the country.

BAE Systems’ 34,000 staff selected Sue Ryder Care as its UK Charity Challenge partner for the next 18 months, following a nationwide vote.

Staff and volunteers from both organisations set free the balloons today, in the first of a series of imaginative fundraising ventures. The balloon which travels the farthest will secure the prize of a ride in a hot air balloon.

As part of the partnership, Sue Ryder Care is challenging BAE Systems’ employees to ‘travel’ the 25,000 mile circumference of the globe in 80 days, in a series of fundraising events. Each site will complete their leg of the journey by raising funds in a series of events.

In line with Sue Ryder Care’s emergence as a leading volunteering charity, particularly for team and corporate challenges, BAE Systems’ employees will also undertake numerous volunteering roles. Staff at the international defence and technology organisation will be able to choose from more than 300 roles - the most diverse range of opportunities offered by any charity. Staff will be able to take on all manner of activities, ranging from a gardening project at a care centre to developing IT, which will suit their skills and interests, as well as provide a welcome boost to the charity.  

Dick Olver, Chairman of BAE Systems, said: “We are pleased to welcome Sue Ryder Care as our new UK Charity Challenge partner.  The partnership reinforces our commitment to giving money, time and equipment to the communities in which we work.  Since we began our Charity Challenge employees fundraising scheme in 1989 BAE Systems’ employees have raised over £41 million.”

Eric Grounds, Director of Fundraising at Sue Ryder Care, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce our partnership with BAE Systems. The Charity Challenge will generate significant funds for Sue Ryder Care, helping us to meet our plans to increase the hours of care we provide from 4million to 10million annually by 2018. I hope BAE Systems staff will embrace the challenge. Their skills and experience will be put to great use through the innumerable volunteering opportunities the partnership will present - and I hope they enjoy it too.”

For more information about BAE Systems visit www.baesystems.com.

 Watch out for photos of the balloon launches coming soon.

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