Heidelberg Materials adds fundraising twist to learning and development initiative

Heidelberg Materials has been a Corporate Patron of CRASH since 1999, underpinning each charity construction project CRASH delivers. Heidelberg Materials is part of the CRASH ‘Car Park Task Force’ and has generously donated product and expertise to projects needing their help.

As part of their learning and development offering Heidelberg Materials run a ‘Creating Engaging Managers’ (CEM) course for colleagues. The course contains five modules from building trust in teams, communication skills and overcoming challenges. For the last three years the teams have been required to complete a project with a fundraising twist, mentored by the CRASH team for advice on fundraising best practices.

The aim of the project is to bring together the learnings of the course whilst deciding on and delivering a fundraising activity or event to raise funds and awareness of CRASH across the business.

This year the teams took different approaches. Team A organised and completed a 63mile walk from the Heidelberg Materials head office in Maidenhead to CRASH’s former location in Chiswick. They played to their strengths, allocating roles for hotel bookings and logistics, equipment and all-important tea-making and refreshments. The team stopped off at various Heidelberg Materials sites, and enjoying the conversations they had with colleagues they wouldn’t usually connect with, along the way.

CRASH’s previous office location in Chiswick marked the finish line. Hannah and Eloise were there to cheer on the team as they completed their 3-day hike and offered a well-needed energy boost in the form of protein bars, generously donated by TRIBE to give as a thank you to fundraisers.

Team B used the run up to the festive period to raise awareness about CRASH amongst colleagues. Putting their own spin on things ’12 Days of CRASHmas’ aimed to educate fellow employees about CRASH’s work and the long-standing relationship between Heidelberg Materials and CRASH. Each day from the 1^st to 12^th of December, Team B posted videos and on social media sharing facts about CRASH and encouraging people to donate to help support people experiencing homelessness, and people who need hospice care.

Together the teams raised a combined £4,055 which will support CRASH charity construction projects for homelessness charities and hospices.

The CEM challenge demonstrates just one unique way that companies can add a fundraising element to existing activities, employee development programmes or company events. CRASH works closely with Corporate Patron companies to help them integrate their support of CRASH through fundraising, volunteering, and project involvement.