A successful 12 month partnership between Reading Buses and its Charity of 2016 Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has now ended.
Martijn Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, presented CALM representatives Brid McKeown and Matt Williams with a cheque for £14,375.32 - representing another record-breaking year of fundraising for the company.
The cheque presentation was made in front of the CALM bus which has been running around the town all year increasing exposure for the charity. After the presentation the gathered guests were treated to a recap of the year, including all the fundraising events fulfilled by the company and its employees.
The majority of the money, over £7,500, was raised through the Reading Buses open day last July. Other activities included cake sales at the depot, charity sports activities and Christmas events comprising a raffle and ‘Christmas jumper day.’
Employees themselves also got in on the act with generous donations from supervisors Ray Court and Alan Campbell who gave their Star of the Month bonuses to the charity, while driver Baldev Gill also donated his retirement bonus.
As well as championing the company team in the Great South Run and other activities, Supervisor Kevin Pinches masterminded a Snowdon walk with members of the team to raise nearly £1,500 and Marketing and Communications Manager Jake Osman did a year of running events to raise over £1,000.
In a short speech, Martijn said: ”We thought that last year’s record-breaking total was going to be hard to beat, but the support of the people of Reading and our own wonderful employees has been amazing to get us through to this fantastic total.
“It shows how the amazing work that CALM does really resonates with people around the area and how we can all work together to get men talking and reduce the number who ‘get off a stop early’ as our bus says.
“We have seen some superb generosity from the public, our suppliers and especially our employees – whether it is doing challenging events to get sponsorship or donating.
“It really has been great to see everyone getting engaged with the charity message. We wish CALM all the best for the future.”
Said Joel Beckman, CALM’s General Manager: “A massive thank you to Reading Buses for their support in 2016. It's been an amazing boost to CALM.
“All of our money goes to support men in crisis who call our helpline; and our campaigns to raise awareness and understanding of the issue of male suicide.
“In 2016 we believe we prevented over 300 suicides as well as continuing to get the issue even higher up the public agenda. Only this week, Theresa May announced a new mental health agenda and national suicide prevention plan, with men highly prominent.
“So the money Reading Buses has provided and the fantastic awareness of having CALM plastered on Reading Buses has more than played its part, thank you.”