Dalbeattie-based IT firm ETB Technologies has chosen Macmillan Cancer Support as its inaugural charity of the year, aiming to raise £5000 by the end of 2023.
Employees at ETB Technologies, which sells refurbished enterprise IT globally, selected the cancer charity to be the recipient of its fundraising efforts following a staff vote. The 70-strong team will now organise a programme of events throughout the year as they aim to meet their target.
Leading the way is Lynne Smith (front row, second from left in attached photo) from ETB’s customer service team, who has already signed up for a 10,000ft skydive in May at St Andrews, in the hope of raising at least 10% of the target figure. She said: “I was keen to take on a big challenge to help raise as much as possible for Macmillan. The skydive seems like a great opportunity to push myself and contribute towards our target at the same time.”
Macmillan Cancer Support provides emotional, practical, physical, and financial support services for people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer experience. It also runs public campaigns, builds partnerships, and influences decision-makers on all cancer-related policies at UK-wide, national and local levels.
ETB Technologies managing director Nick Stapleton said: “After marking our 21st anniversary last year, the team were keen to do something that gave back to the wider community. The idea for a charity of the year has been employee-led from the beginning. We asked the team to nominate their favourite charities, then put it to a vote and Macmillan came out on top.
“We’ve now been asking the team for their ideas for fundraising events, and the response has been enthusiastic to say the least! The work that Macmillan does is so valuable and so we are determined to raise as much money as we can for this very worthy organisation. While we are still finalising the fundraising calendar, the team have suggested a wide range of ideas with everything from abseiling to car treasure hunts, as well as the more traditional coffee mornings on the table. We can’t wait to get started and to raise as much as we can.
“It’s the first time we have chosen a charity of the year, so although we have an ambitious target in mind, you never know what we might achieve – the sky is the limit.”
Donations to Lynne’s skydive can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/etblynne
