Medway business wins £500 for local charity

Local grant-makers, Kent Community Foundation gave businesses in Kent and Medway the opportunity to win £500 for a local charity of their choice at a recent business networking event.

Businesses from across the county gathered at the Historic Dockyard Chatham for Medway's biggest B2B event on 20 September 2018. Organised by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, the major networking event, Kent B2B featured a host of expert speakers and a host of exhibitors.

Exhibitors Kent Community Foundation (KCF) held a competition on their stand, giving other exhibitors and delegates the opportunity to win £500 to donate to a charity in Kent and Medway. KCF helps companies to meaningfully connect with their local communities in Kent and Medway, where a small sum of money can have a huge impact.

The winners picked at random are Kent Space, the leading providers of business space and self-storage in Chatham and Ashford, Kent. Shannon Reynolds from Kent Space chose to donate the money to The Street Soccer Foundation.

Shannon presented the charity with the £500 cheque at their Chatham office explaining why she chose The Street Soccer Foundation: “As I embarked on my networking journey I met Keith Mabbutt, the founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, which educates, encourages and motives vulnerable and homeless people across the country, changing lives through football. I chose this charity as I believe the money will continue to help towards supporting the academy with pitch hire and organising more courses.”

The Street Soccer Foundation is a charitable non-profit organisation which uses football as a catalyst to improve the lives of vulnerable and homeless young people from across Kent and Medway.

CEO and Founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, Keith Mabbutt, was delighted with the donation commenting: ““We are hugely grateful to both Kent Space as their chosen charity and to the Kent Community Foundation for our being the recipient of the £500 donation. Both are valued supporters of The Street Soccer Foundation for the work we do to help homeless and vulnerable young people across the County of Kent. This generous donation will be used to cover the pitch hire cost over a full 10-week period, supporting the delivery of a full Street Soccer Academy course for individuals aged 16-24.”

By investing in the local community, businesses can reach new audiences, enhance business relationships and build loyalty with employees and stakeholders by supporting causes that matter. In addition, they can see the impact of their donation first hand.

The Medway Corporate Giving Fund, run by Kent Community Foundation brings together Medway businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals committed to supporting their local community. The aim of the Fund is to connect socially responsible local businesses with innovative projects making a real difference in the local community and helping those most in need. It is this collective and proactive approach that is so powerful in bringing about tangible changes in the community and maximising the potential impact of each member’s contribution.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive at Kent Community Foundation comments: “Corporate social responsibility is no longer an activity just for large, multinational corporations. Businesses of any size can play their part in effective local giving and supporting their community. The Fund brings together local charities and business leaders in Medway to enable them to meet and encourage them to provide funding.”

If you are a local Medway business or individual and would like to join the Medway Corporate Giving Fund to help make positive, lasting changes in your local community, please contact josephine@kentcf.org.uk or to donate, please contact Kent Community Foundation on 01303 814500.