CCSS Away day

Vote for the FD charity 2020/21

In the Facilities Directorate, we are committed to supporting a charity every year. Please place your vote to decided this year’s FD charity.

Voting will open on Monday 10 February and closes on 24 April 2020 and the chosen charity will be in place from 1 May 2020 till 30 April 2021.

Staff nominated charities for 2020/21

Homeless Street Angels 

I would like to nominate the Homeless Strret Angels to be our chosen charity for 2020/21. The reason I am putting them forward is because of the amazing work they do around Headingley and Leeds city centre helping people by providing hot meals (100 a week) and cold food, clean clothes, toiletries and food parcels. The aim of these volunteers is to get these guys off the streets and into a home of their own and hopefully into employment. They do this by looking at housing options and getting them into the system, signposting them towards social care and treatment options to resolve any issues they may have with nearly 30 people rehomed since the volunteers began their work. The aim of this group is to look at long term solutions and raise the self-esteem, confidence, and aspirations of the homeless people

Mountain Rescue (Yorkshire)

Mountain rescue team members are on call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to recover climbers from precipitous crags, reunite lost walkers with their pals and ensure injured and sick casualties are safely delivered into vital hospital care. But they also regularly help search for missing children and vulnerable adults, on and off the hills, whilst administering sympathetic support to their families. They search river banks and swift water, and wade chest-deep through flooded urban streets aiding swimmers, kayakers and devastated homeowners. And, between them, they rescue a frankly stunning number of dogs, cows, sheep and any number of other animals, from all manner of inaccessible places. All this whilst continuing to practise and hone their first aid skills, technical ropework, water rescue and search management, and maintaining their bases, equipment and vehicles – not to mention taking time to maintain their own fitness. Oh, and did we mention they’re all volunteers?’. I’m a keen fell runner and walker and spend a fair bit of time on the moors and hills, so the valuable work they do is very much appreciated.

Leeds British Heart Fund

Our Fundraising Groups and Branches are the face of the British Heart Foundation in their local communities. We have over 200 Groups and Branches across the UK made up of volunteers with more opening every month.

Our Local Fundraising Groups are all different each running their own fundraising events, supporting schools and local businesses, organising collections and so much more.

Second Chance Headway Centre

Second Chance Headway Centre provides a therapy led day service for adults who are living with acquired or traumatic brain injury. The charity’s objectives are to relieve and rehabilitate individuals living in or near Yorkshire and the Humber who have sustained an acquired brain injury likely to cause significant disability. Particularly but not exclusively, by providing and promoting facilities for the provision of their support, enablement, education, training and welfare, and advising and supporting carers, families and friends of such individuals. They believe in the right of everyone to an acceptable quality of life, and disability should not be a barrier to obtaining the skills, knowledge and understanding required to achieve a better quality of life.

Hope Pastures

Hope Pastures uses donations to prevent suffering and to improve and save lives. Thanks to support we rescue, rehabilitate and re-home horses, ponies and donkeys in need and give people the chance to meet these animals and learn about them and how to look after them. Because they are a small charity with few ‘overheads,’ 95p of every £1 donated goes directly to help the animals.

Charities who enquired directly

Forgetmenotchild 

Our mission – Here’s why we have an important role to play in changining the way children and their families are supported. Our Vision is for a world in which children and young people no longer face life-shortening conditions. And until that day comes, our mission will always be to offer them, and their families, as much support, love and laughter as they can handle. We’re also determined to transform the work of children’s hospices. We’re tearing up the old rule books, taking a fresh and creative look at the way things are done. We’re offering new services that have neve been done before. We’re listening and responding to children and their families, rather than tgelling them what they can or cant do because “that the way it’s also been”.

Woodfield Dog Rescue

Our small dog rescue shelter is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and opened in November 2017. It was the realisation of a dream of our founder, Janet, following her working at the Boldesti Public Shelter in Romania.

Leeds Mencap

Leeds Mencap supports local children with learning disabilities and complex needs from birth to age 25 – building confidence and developing life skills, to go beyond their expectations. We help parents to build resilience through training, one-to-one and peer support – to care for their whole family. We support siblings giving them “me Time” with others who understand. Only 27% of service costs come from statutory funding or fees, so your fundraising will have a HUGE impact. Enjoy volunteering opportunities like gardening, community days or maintaining our busy multi-use centre in Leeds 9. Choose a small independent charity with the BIG heart!

For more information on charity nominations please contact Sue Tattersall, s.tattersall@leeds.ac.uk

Advent Calendar for Leeds Mind

Advent Calendar draw for Leeds Mind

Don’t miss out on the Facilities Directorate Advent Calendar Raffle, tickets are now on sale!

In order to raise money for our chosen charity, Leeds Mind, the Facilities Directorate are holding an advent calendar draw.

Behind every window of our advent calendar is an amazing prize, kindly donated by our suppliers. Star prizes include a Fitbit, Amazon Vouchers, First Direct Arena Tickets, an Alexa, Overnight stays, Afternoon Tea, Christmas Flower Displays, Children’s Toys, along with many more fantastic prizes.

And today’s winner is…

Click here to find out who won todays prize

This is how it all works

  1. A fantastic prize is hidden behind each advent calendar window
  2. One raffle number will be drawn out each day and the lucky winning ticket holder will win the prize behind the window (all weekend draws will take place on the following Monday) look out for the daily announcements
  3. £2.00 per ticket (no restrictions on how many tickets you would like to purchase or who these are sold to)

Tickets are on sale for £2 each and can be purchased from:

  • Cleaning Services: Jacquie Beaumont
  • Conference & Events Office: Sue Tattersall, Vicki Parker
  • Print & Copy Bureau: Lisa Mitchell
  • Catering: Zoe Read
  • The Edge: Lisa Naylor
  • The Refectory: Molly Robinson
  • Purchasing: Joanne Jordan
  • Portering: Nicola Carter
  • FD Building: Gursharon Dogra

Don’t worry if you haven’t bought your tickets before 1 December you can buy them right up until 20 December all we ask is that any tickets sold after 1st December are returned to Sue Tattersall so these can be placed in the draw for the next day.

Today’s winner is…

More information

Advent Calendar Poster

Advent calendar draw for Candlelighters

Don’t miss out on the Facilities Directorate Advent Calendar Raffle, tickets are now on sale!

In order to raise money for our chosen charity, Candlelighters, the Facilities Directorate are holding an advent calendar draw.

Behind every window of our advent calendar is an amazing prize, kindly donated by our suppliers. Star prizes include a Samsung tablet, assorted hampers, Fitbit, £50 Amazon gift vouchers, children’s scooters, hotel vouchers, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Echo and an Amazon Fire 7 kids edition tablet… along with many more fantastic prizes.

And today’s winner is…

Click here to find out who won todays prize

This is how it all works

  1. A fantastic prize is hidden behind each advent calendar window
  2. One raffle number will be drawn out each day and the lucky winning ticket holder will win the prize behind the window (all weekend draws will take place on the following Monday) look out for the daily announcements
  3. £2.00 per ticket (no restrictions on how many tickets you would like to purchase or who these are sold too)

Tickets are on sale for £2 each and can be purchased from:

  • Cleaning Services: Jacquie Beaumont
  • Conference & Events Office: Sue Tattersall, Vicki Parker or Bobbie Atkinson
  • Print & Copy Bureau: Lisa Mitchell or Sophie Wright
  • Catering: Bernie Small
  • The Edge: Helen McDonald
  • The Refectory: Molly Robinson
  • Purchasing: Joanne Jordan
  • Facilities Support Services: Nicola Carter
  • FD Building: Gursharon Dogra or Melissa Greaves

Don’t worry if you haven’t bought your tickets before 1 December you can buy them right up until 21 December all we ask is that any tickets sold after 1st December are returned to Sue Tattersall so these can be placed in the draw for the next day.

Today’s winners are…

More information

Download poster for your area

Upcoming charity events for 2018

After having a great 2017/2018 year we raised an amazing £11,275.84 for Alzheimer’s Society and £8443.11 for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. This year we are raising money for Candlelighters along with supporting the Bamisanani Partnership.

Bellow is a rundown of the forthcoming events:

  • 31st October – Halloween biscuit & sweet sale, please bring along some loose change on 31st  
  • 21st November – Charity Showcase for 2019/2020 charities, F/D staff will be invited along to have an informal chat to the invited charities also alongside this we have invited Alzheimer’s Society and Children’s Heart Surgery 2017/2018 charities for a presentation of cheques
  • 4th December – Fairtrade Christmas Fair held in Parkinson Court from 11:00-15:30 – ideal opportunity to start your Christmas shopping
  • 10th December – Christmas Farmers Market in the Precinct from 08:00 til late – come along and get into the seasonal mood with Carols sung by the UOL Choir and enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate from Hugo

Facilities Directorate Charities Update – April 2018

Congratulations and a big thank you to everyone who has helped organise or contribute towards raising funds for our chosen charities for 2017/2018.

Over the last year we have raised an amazing £8,537.75 for Alzheimer’s Society and £7612.88 for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. This year’s finale activities and events have included a bake sale which raised £129. Thanks go to Patrick Dooley, Amanda Brow, Lisa Hall, Gracie Hall, Richard Thompson, Vicki Parker and Ryan Johnson for all their time and treats! Well done also to Ian Addy and Emma Broadhurst who organised the Charity Wobble and raised an outstanding £492.

In May, we will officially begin to raise funds for our 2018/2019 charities, which are the Bambisanani Partnership – a life-changing project led by our Gryphons Abroad in Sport & Physical Activity, and  Candlelighters – a local charity fighting children’s cancer.

A childhood cancer diagnosis is life-changing, not only for the child, but for everyone around them. Candlelighters offers support to every family member, and their support lasts a lifetime. They run groups for mums, dads, grandparents and siblings, and offer wellness therapies such as massage, and talking therapies too. They also provide financial grants, and holidays, for every family that wants one.

Candlelighters fund important research and 665 hours of NHS staff time, from playworkers on the ward, helping a child understand and prepare for their treatment, through to social workers and speech therapists. In addition, they are also currently renovating a cottage near the ward, so that when a child is in hospital, parents and their brothers and sisters, can stay nearby.

To find out more about our chosen charities and to see more of our fundraising, visit our charities page.

Facilities Directorate Charities Update – February 2018

Teams from across the Facilities Directorate have helped raise nearly £15,000 so far for our chosen charities, Alzheimer’s Society and Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.

Staff got involved in #WearRedDay on Friday 2 February for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. Wear Red Day was created to raise awareness of Congenital Heart Disease, which affects as many as 1 in 120 babies.  Over 400 children from Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire have open heart surgery each year, and around 10,000 are treated as outpatients at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. Sporting red for the day, holding a raffle and getting involved in a ‘Wear Red Day Walk’ around Woodhouse Moor in their red attire, staff across the directorate raised £378.12 with their various fundraising activities!

There’s another exciting fundraising opportunity coming up with Skyline who are hosting a skydive on Sunday 27 May at various airfields around Yorkshire and the Country. The registration fee of £35 will be covered, however, the fundraising target to be donated to our charities is a minimum of £430 – which covers the cost of the skydive (this needs to be raised by 11 March).  It’s a tall challenge but if anyone is feeling up for a skydive please send your details to Sue Tattersall by Friday 9 February. Once registered, for those that have a head for heights, an individual registration number will be allocated and the fundraising can begin!

Staff members recently had an opportunity to vote for a charity to be supported by the Facilities Directorate throughout 2018 and 2019. The charity with the most votes was Candlelighters – a local charity fighting children’s cancer, which will be supported this year alongside the Bambisanani Partnership – a life-changing project led by our Gryphons Abroad in Sport & Physical Activity.

To find out more about our chosen charities visit our charities page.

 

 

 

 

Facilities Directorate Charities Update – December 2017

Staff across the FD have been busy supporting our two charities over the last few months.

Since 1 November, we have raised a huge £825.91 for the Alzheimer’s Society and £883.32 for The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, taking our grand totals to £5,300.28 (Alzheimer’s) and £3,633.03 (Children’s Heart Surgery), a whopping £8933.31 in total.

Special thanks go to Natasha Rahanu in the Conference and Events Office, Lisa Hall and Ricky Thompson from the Refectory, who baked and sold Halloween biscuits raising £112, Rory Haines from Sustainability for the cake sale in the FD Building raising £76.49, and the Penny for the Guy in the FD building organised by HR which raised £72.30. Well done to the Marketing and Communications Team, who raised £48 at their FD Christmas breakfast, and everyone who joined in on the festive Elf Walk, which raised £203. The recent Christmas Fair Trade Fair was a massive success. £1000 was raised through sales of mulled wine, the raffle and tombola. And to everyone with a charity tin, an amazing amount of £798.48 has been counted this month.

Finally, thanks to everyone who took part in one of the marathons that they have run over the last couple of months – Lisa Hall, Ella Adlard, Bob Douglass, Leanne Henderson, Cheryl Clough, Stewart Ross, Emma Broadhurst, Francesca Shepard, Ben Witz, Sam Jackson, Ricky Thompson, Sam Mottershead and Ian Brine – you have all made a difference!

Please keep planning fundraising ideas for our two FD Charities, together we really can make a difference! The next event is the Christmas Jumper Day on 15 December.

To find out more about the charities we fundraise for, click here.

Over £200 raised by the Elf Day Walk

Colleagues from across the University unleashed their inner Elf in support of the Alzheimer’s Society

On the Friday 8th December, 34 staff, students, visitors to the university and Dexter the Beagle, got in the festive spirit by taking part in an Elf Walk around the University of Leeds campus.

The mile-long walk took just over half an hour and was successful in raising over £200 for the Alzheimer’s Society, one of the Facilities Directorate’s two chosen charities for 2017/2018.

If you would like to donate to this amazing charity, please visit the Alzheimer’s Society donations page.

 

Read more about the Elf Walk and view pictures from the day here.

Elf Walk

Elf Day walk

Unleash your inner Elf and join us supporting the Alzheimers Society.

Get into the festive spirit and join us on an Elf Walk around the University of Leeds campus at 12:00 on Friday 8 December. All staff, students and visitors to the University are invited to donate £2 and come along to the event in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.

The easiest way to do an Elf Walk is to go full Elf. However, for those who don’t fancy going Elf head to toe, just a hat is fine. Don’t have an Elf hat or suit to hand? Our team of Elves have a few for a donation of £2.

The Alzheimer’s Society also has some amazing attire on their website, from which 100% of the profits go to helping fight dementia.

Not into fancy dress? No worries, just come along for some fresh air in support of an excellent cause!

The Elves from across the Facilities Directorate will be visiting offices and collecting donations in the morning and will meet at for a 12:00 departure from the steps at Leeds University Union (LUU).

The walk will take around 30 minutes, taking in the wonderful winter scenes around campus with expert guides from the Get Out Get Active team, returning to the LUU steps for well-earned refreshments and Festive treats!

Keep up with the latest updates on events around the UK on Twitter and Instagram by following #ElfWalk.