Ambitious North East Autism Society development enters phase two
Part of our ongoing Growing Futures appeal, the second phase of development will see several new buildings erected – including a cider mill, a farm shop, and a café.
Fundraising
Sage fundraisers complete 'Allendale challenge'
An intrepid group of around 60 fundraisers has raised over £7,000 for the North East Autism Society (NEAS) after taking on their own version of the famous Allendale Challenge.
The team, made up of staff from Sage and external Sage partners, took on a 26-mile route covering the rugged and varied terrain around Allendale, Northumberland.
Charlotte Yardley, Director of Customer and Partner Success at Sage, started organising fundraising challenges within her team around three years ago.
The challenge grew year on year, and Glen Towers, Senior Partner Growth Manager and Ambassador for Sage Foundation on Charlotte’s team, suggested inviting Sage partners and their wider community.
This community approach also helped guide the team on which charities to support.
Glen, who has benefitted NEAS in the past by doing the Great North Run, said: “It was Charlotte who approached me and said what we want to do this year is acknowledge NEAS as a Sage customer.”
Charlotte added: “We really wanted to focus on our customers, but NEAS is a local charity as well to the North East, and it touches a lot of people’s hearts.”
Allendale was chosen as the location to keep the challenge themed around the North East, but Sage partners came from as far as Cornwall to take part.
“We didn’t expect so many people to do it with us,” Charlotte said.
“We thought if we got 30 people, it would be amazing. But we got about 60 people and just a huge, huge amount of support, and I think NEAS was definitely a reason for that as well. People wanted to support a local charity."
For Glen, it was the first time he had the chance to meet many of the partners in person.
“It was just nice to get out there, the weather was kind to us as well, and half the time you forget you’re even walking because you just catch up,” He said.
“I thought the time just absolutely flew by, and I’m amazed I’m saying that on the back of a 26-mile hike.”
The group raised £3,626 through sponsorships and online donations to their JustGiving page, which Sage Foundation matched, to total £7,252.
One participant, Anne, rallied her local pub to support her, after a regular with an autistic family member suggested a collection bucket would raise a good amount of money.
“There’s always one person on these walks where you go ‘that is just an unbelievable example of human spirit there, just getting through’, and Anne was that person on this walk,” Charlotte said.
“She just kept saying ‘I’ve got to do it, people have donated so much money, I just want to say to people I’ve done the whole thing.’
“The teamwork, the human spirit, and people just really supporting each other is amazing.”
Charlotte hopes even more Sage partners will be inspired to take part in next year’s challenge.
Charlotte said: “Without a doubt, we’ll do another walk next year, definitely watch this space on that.”
“Hopefully a flatter one!” Glen added.
If you would like to fundraise for the North East Autism Society, click here to see our events.
Or get in touch with our team to discuss your fundraising ideas.
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