Thank you Saffery

Saffery Champness has donated the £2,000 from its Guernsey Community Awards win to the Guernsey Cheshire Home.

The firm won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, at the Guernsey Community Awards, organised by the Guernsey Community Foundation, last November recognising the firm’s involvement with charitable and community projects across the island. As part of the award, Saffery Champness received a cheque for £2,000 to be donated to the charity or community project of its choice.

The firm consulted its staff for suggestions of potential recipients of the funding. After drawing up a shortlist, it was decided that the money would go to the Guernsey Cheshire Home, as suggested by staff members Sarah Smith and Margaret Pearson.

Sadie Siviter de Paucar, development manager for the Guernsey Community Foundation, said: “Asking its staff where the money should be donated is the embodiment of why Saffery Champness won the CSR award. It’s refreshing to see a firm engage its staff in the CSR decision making process, reflecting the views of the whole company.”

Lisa Vizia, director of Saffery Champness, said: “Our award win was down to the hard work and commitment of our staff so it made sense to ask them where they wanted the money to go. “We had a lot of suggestions however both Sarah and Margaret put up a great case for Guernsey Cheshire Home and the fantastic work it does in our community so we thought it was the most appropriate.”

The funding will be split proportionality on new laundry equipment and outings for the home’s residents. Nick Mountain, manager at the Guernsey Cheshire Home, said: “The home couldn’t operate without the continued support of the people of Guernsey which enables us to provide the best possible care for residents and day visitors. “We are very grateful to the staff of Saffery Champness for choosing us and it was particularly good timing following the break-down of our washing machine and tumble dryers with the remaining funds going towards activities for our residents.”

The Community Awards are held annually to celebrate the island’s voluntary and charitable sector. The judges were particularly impressed with the firm’s sponsorship and support of the Saffery Rotary Walk and its partnership with local cancer charity, CLIC Sargent Guernsey.

Saffery Champness took over the sponsorship of the Rotary Walk two years ago and has helped the walk raise close to £82,000 for 20 local charities and organisations. Rather than just providing sponsorship, Saffery Champness has immersed itself in the walk by joining the walk’s committee, attending regular planning meetings, providing printing, marketing and organisational support, manning stations along the route, taking part in the walk and helping with cleaning up and the collecting of sponsorship money. The company’s three year relationship with CLIC Sargent saw the firm help the children’s cancer charity raise nearly £100,000 for CLIC Haven, a “home from home” for Bailiwick families whose children are undergoing treatment in Southampton.