Close Brothers drives £35k fund-raiser for Make-A-Wish children's charity

Close Brothers Motor Finance have raised £35,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Cancer Research UK through a series of fundraising events.

Colleagues from across the South Yorkshire-based motor finance business took part in a range of fundraising initiatives, including the Three Peaks Challenge, a 100-mile walk, Race for Life, bike rides and bake sales.

Close Brothers Motor Finance’s network of dealer partners also got involved in the charity initiatives, with the Partner Hubs leading the charge on many events.

Seán Kemple, managing director at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “I’m so impressed and proud of all those who took part in the charity initiatives and gave up their time to raise money and awareness for two extremely important charities.

“To see our teams and partners from across the UK taking part and giving back to local and national causes demonstrates our commitment to supporting those in need.”

Close Brothers' Northern Ireland team raised £2,195 by climbing Slieve Donard, the highest of the Mourne Mountains.

The Manchester team undertook their own sponsored challenges, including a 100-mile team walk, raising nearly £1,000. Others cycled between over 30 dealer partners in two days, raising £2,995.

Close Brothers said the money raised for Make-A-Wish will go towards empowering children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions with the chance to choose a wish unique to them.

The money raised for Cancer Research UK will go towards supporting their scientist’s research and support efforts to learn more about cancer cells, the purchase of next generation DNA experiment, and training PhD and research students, the company said.

Close Brother’s colleagues have also set up a foodbank collection in offices to support those in local areas. More than 1,500 food items, toiletries, sanitary products, and household items have been collected so far, said Close Brothers.

As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Close Brothers Group also donated a tree for every colleague to the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme. Planting will take place in October, when teams will be given the opportunity to be involved in the process.

The donated trees will be planted around schools and urban areas to help improve local communities’ access to green spaces.

Toyota has donated more than £45,000 to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, since the start of the year.

Last month, Drive Motor Retail vowed to match-fund the charitable efforts of its workforce in a bid to raise £50,000 for victims of the war in Ukraine.