Everards Staff Raise Money for Charity
Staff from Everards Brewery have raised £500 for local charities through an initiative called Go MAD (Go Make A Difference), organised by Leicestershire businessman Andy Gilbert.
Andy Gilbert won £65,000 on ITV's Poker Face TV Quiz Show and decided to give away his £65,000 prize winnings to 1,000 people with £65 each. Each of the 1,000 people are tasked with using their £65 to make a difference to the lives of others, through assisting young and old people, creating sustainable projects, and helping people with random acts of kindness.
Karen Bunn, Martin Bailey and Mike Brown, who work in the property department at Everards, used their £65 to buy a Leicester Tigers rugby shirt. It was then signed by England and Leicester rugby player Martin Johnson and framed by local suppliers for free.
The team arranged for the shirt to be raffled off in Everards pub, Bakers' Arms in Blaby, where it raised £500. From this money, £260 has been donated to Leicestershire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and £65 has been given back to Go MAD to make a difference elsewhere.
The remaining money provided 12 couples who regularly volunteer in the local community with a three-course Christmas meal. The meal was enjoyed at the Bakers' Arms last night, followed by Sing Christmas, a community carol service, broadcast live by BBC Radio Leicester.
Among the guests at the meal were Fred and Moira Russell-Risen, who volunteer to drive older people to appointments and social activities and Joyce and Alan Purser, who have set up a trolley service in a residential home to allow the residents the opportunity to do their own shopping.
Karen Bunn, technical assistant, property, at Everards said: "It's fantastic what can be achieved with just £65 and it just goes to show what you can do with a little effort and teamwork. It's rewarding to be given the chance to make a difference to the local community, however large or small."