2012-10-1 — /travelprnews.com/ — Aberdeen based public transport operator, FirstGroup, today revealed that its UK staff voted Macmillan Cancer Support to be its new national charity partner.
First’s 36,000 UK employees from across its Bus, Rail and Group Divisions were given the opportunity of selecting (on-line or by phone) their preferred charity from three options. Macmillan was the overwhelming choice securing more than 60% of the vote.
In celebration of the new partnership, First has donated advertising space on its buses to Macmillan worth nearly £85k. More than 3,500 buses, from Aberdeen to Bristol and Norwich to Glasgow, now feature Macmillan adverts promoting its flagship fundraising event, the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
CSR and Community Manager at FirstGroup, Katie Smart, said: “This is a new chapter in our community engagement strategy and I’m delighted to be working with Macmillan Cancer Support. It was the clear winner in our staff vote – that enthusiasm and passion is already being reflected in our fundraising efforts across the UK.”
FirstGroup is encouraging colleagues to make time to support Macmillan’s 22nd ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.’ Many of FirstGroup’s bus and rail companies will be hosting coffee mornings on Friday 28 September, with some involving customers.
Katie added: “What better way to kick off our partnership than by supporting one of the most iconic charitable events in the country. Especially as something as easy as coffee and cake can help Macmillan to support people affected by cancer every step of the way.”
Sally Hill, Fundraising Partnership Manager, from Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “To have the support of one of the world’s largest transport companies is tremendous news for Macmillan. With the number of people living with cancer expected to double to four million by 2030, it’s more important than ever to engage with companies like FirstGroup and its people.
“I’m delighted that FirstGroup is taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. With the help of its employees and the many thousands of others taking part I’m confident that we will smash the £10m raised last year.”
Macmillan will replace Save the Children as FirstGroup’s national charity partner. FirstGroup has confirmed that its support of Save the Children will continue but as its secondary partner. The partnership with Save the Children began in 2007 and has seen First raise more than £4.5m in cash and in kind.
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