Business networking group Avanti is also helping charity
Avanti Networking fundraising for CLIC Sargent charity in 2015. Front left, organiser Victoria Sharp. - Credit: Archant
Businesses belonging to the prominent local networking group, Avanti have celebrated raising over £500 just in the month of December for their chosen charity, CLIC Sargent.
The Christmas raffle topped off a full calendar of fundraising events throughout 2015 which included taking part in the 10k Insane Terrain Mud Challenge, Wig Wednesday and a poignant 32.5 miles cycle ride around the Debenham countryside and Ipswich half-marathon.
Co-founder of Avanti Networking, Victoria Sharp said: “Cancer for anyone is awful, but for a child seems so unfair and if our small fundraising helps just little it makes it worthwhile.”
The networking group, which was founded in 2011 as a women-only business lunch now boasts four groups across Suffolk, two for women only and two which are both men and women.
Victoria added: “Fundraising is a very important part of our business and although it was never our intention, it has certainly given our company kudos.”
Thanks to a great deal of support from its members, over the past year Avanti Networking has raised more than £3,000 for children and young people with cancer.
CLIC Sargent fundraising manager Daisy Turner said: “We’re so grateful to all the Avanti members for their passion and commitment to changing the lives of young people with cancer.”
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Many Avanti members even go on to fundraise within their own business, on which Victoria said: “Fundraising for CLIC Sargent has strengthened the members relationships with each other and the community – especially when taking part in team fundraising events.
“I would urge other businesses to incorporate fundraising into their strategy: it will gives employees a sense of satisfaction knowing that they have helped an amazing charity and it lets your clients know that you are a company that has a good ethos.”
She added: “If you would like to learn more about a charity partnership with CLIC Sargent, contact Daisy Turner on daisy.turner@clicsargent.org.uk or telephone 01284 829090.”
The next Avanti group meetings are on Wednesday February 10 (ladies) and February 17, (mixed).
Ipswich-based Victoria added: “We are not ladies that lunch,” explained, “We are proper business people. We have a structured agenda and it is a professional and really useful and organised. We have fun at Christmas and other special events are popular.
“We are a professonal business support group, giving people the opportunity to do business.
“We would encourage people to come along and give us a try.”
For more information about Avanti Networking, visit: http://avantinetworking.co.uk/
