Driver Training Business and their Clients Raise over £2,500 for Charity
Despite the high demand for their unique brand of driver training, the Bedfordshire based business, like many others across the UK, were required to temporarily close their doors for a total four-month period in 2020, due to national COVID-19 lockdown measures. This, however, did not stop them raising a heartening £2,548.79, for two Charities, both in great need of funds.
- (1888PressRelease) January 27, 2021 - Evidence-based driver training experts, CAT Driver Training deliver dynamic understanding to car enthusiasts, racing drivers, motor industry engineers and driverless car developers. Their expertise delivers bespoke training tailored to all aspects of driving: Road, Track, Race & the Motor Industry.
Since their beginning in 2005, Colin & Jo Hoad, the CAT Driver Training founders, have always looked to give back and support charities. In 2019 a new initiative was created encouraging clients to have their photograph taken for social media use. For each photo taken, CAT donated £5 into their bespoke Terramundi Charity Pot. It was such a success that the initiative continued into 2020.
With the challenge the year brought to us all, as part of CAT's industry leading COVID-19 Secure measures, custom face masks were commissioned for clients and team. CAT friend and mask creator Fiona, kindly asked for all payment to be given to the Charity pot. £5 per mask was donated with a total of £950 contributing to the growing total.
As the photos were taken, once clients understood the positive charitable benefit, many were kind, generously adding their own money to the pot.
On Monday 21st December 2020, as followers watched on Facebook, Jo did the pot smash and count live. The Deluxe size pot brimming with notes x £5, £10, £20 and a £50 revealed the total amount raised was a heart-warming £2,548.79. Each client participating in the initiative was put into the draw to decide who would choose the receiving charity.
Guy Sandford was the happy decision maker. His choice – to split such a good sum between two charities. After some reflection, he wanted to recognise charities local to CAT’s training home in Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire. The CAT Facebook community had made suggestions which Mr Sandford incorporated into his decision. Selecting both, the local branch of Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers, known as, SERV Herts & Beds Bloodbikes and Northamptonshire Parent Infant Partnership, known as, NorPIP, each will receive 50% - £1,274.40. Guy commented he felt “this was a marvellous initiative by CAT and a wonderful thing to do. It’s heart-warming to see a group of people like CAT showing how important it is to care about the wider community.”
SERV Herts & Beds Bloodbikes is a charity providing free, voluntary services to courier, via motorcycle & car, blood, blood products and samples to NHS hospitals in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire area. The 100 volunteers also deliver urgent Human Donor Milk deliveries for premature and sick babies, and direct support to local hospices.
Ian Hunt, Chairman of SERV, explains how they adapted to support the NHS in their fight against COVID-19: “During the COVID crisis our work for the NHS has never been more important as we move samples, test kits and new developments to accelerate patient care and to create COVID countermeasures. SERV is involved with the following COVID-related Healthcare pillars: Front Line Responder Support, Test Facilities and Team Support Hospice Care.
During this crisis our normal fund-raising activities have been impossible. We have been exploring new ways to raise funds to cover our critical costs (motorcycle fleet maintenance & renewal etc). Corporate groups such as CAT are key in maintaining our services.”
Whilst essential volunteers like SERV work under the radar to facilitate emergency provision for patients, another charity continues with their crucial support for expectant parents and new Mothers - NorPIP.
Sophie Harding, from NorPIP, explains: "Our mission is to focus on the need for secure attachments between parents and their infants (from conception to two years old) using Parent Infant Psychotherapy to help parents form and develop a more secure bond to promote their lifelong wellbeing. We champion help to families to prepare them for parenthood when life might have dealt a raw deal and they are struggling as a parent - also working with parents suffering from a range of maternal and paternal mental health issues to form a loving bond with their baby.”
Like many Charities during the pandemic, NorPIP has struggled to gain the funding they need to continue providing this crucial service to parents.
“We rely on grants and donations to continue being able to offer our support and services - so the donation received from CAT Driver Training is greatly appreciated and will go to ensuring we can support families in the community. We thank CAT Driver Training and Guy for selecting us as one of the chosen charities to receive this donation."
CAT Driver Training co-owner Jo Hoad adds: "The entire CAT team, along with our clients, are really happy at the amount raised this year. It far exceeds the 2019 total and in this challenging environment, are pleased to be able to support two charities, all of whom are much in need. Guy’s choice to support: SERV and NorPIP resulted in a positive and kind way to end 2020."
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