As of January 2020, UK-based employees of professional services firm KPMG have used the organisation's volunteering leave policy to help raise £1 million for staff charity the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
KPMG staff are allocated six days per year to use for volunteering purposes; in 2019, employees used these to take part in various fundraising events, including running the London Marathon, trekking the Great Wall of China, and taking part the firm’s ‘Wheely Big Cycle’ event.
In reaching the £1 million mark, KPMG staff have met the fundraising target set for September 2020. As a result, this target has been increased to £1.5 million.
In addition to fundraising, more than 100 employees used their 2019 volunteering leave to support the NSPCC at various events, undertaking roles as Childline counsellors, or volunteering at Stay Safe assemblies, in which the NSPCC goes into schools to educate children about abuse.
The funds raised by KPMG employees will allow the NSPCC to reach out to over 200,000 children through its 'Speak out, Stay Safe' service, giving them the knowledge to protect themselves from abuse. It will also provide trained counsellors to answer 100,000 calls to Childline.
James Stewart, vice chair at KPMG, said: “What a fantastic way to kick off 2020, by announcing we have reached the £1 million mark in our fundraising. The dedication, enthusiasm and stamina shown by all of our staff have been truly inspiring. It would not have been possible without all those who have baked, gamed, sung, quizzed, abseiled, volunteered, trekked, rowed, run, cycled or just given generously.
"There are many more staff fundraising activities coming up this year, including a repeat of our flagship national fundraising event, which this year will include cycling and walking. This will bring us ever closer to reaching £1.5 million, enabling us to continue supporting the NSPCC and the important work they do.”
Jo Swinhoe, director of income generation, fundraising and engagement at the NSPCC, said: “We are delighted with the volunteering, pro-bono and fundraising support that KPMG has been able to offer us. The money raised is enabling us to transform childhoods throughout the UK and is delivering real social impact. Thank you to all at KPMG for helping us to change children’s lives for the better.”
