Sage, the UK’s biggest tech company, has announced the completion of its US$1 million fundraising effort, and its intention to double its target.
CEO Steve Hare joined colleagues yesterday at the Sage Reading Half Marathon to celebrate the total raised by colleagues, partners and customers around the world. He set the fundraising challenge just over a year ago on behalf of Sage’s philanthropic division Sage Foundation.
Sage Foundation unifies colleagues and partners in a global programme of social change philanthropy, helping tens of thousands of people through more than 1,000 charities supported in its communities.
Over 13,000 Sage colleagues across 23 markets are invited to dedicate five paid days a year to support charities close to their hearts, through voluntary work and fundraising challenges. Sage Foundation seeks to improve economic stability and social equality for beneficiaries, with strategic objectives aligned to six United Nations sustainable development goals.
Sabby Gill, MD UK & Ireland, Sage said: “I’m delighted to celebrate this special milestone with the thousands of runners taking part in the Sage Reading Half Marathon. Of the total $1 million raised to-date, a third was raised by our colleagues, partners and friends here in the UK, dedicating their time to helping others. 2019 sees the launch of our new $2 Million Challenge, to continue our ambition of making a difference for colleagues, customers and communities around the world.”
Sage Foundation Vice President Debbie Wall adds: “The breadth and diversity of the great charities supported is remarkable—amounting to more than 1,000 in total. The success shows how closely our Sage Foundation goals are integrated into every day working life at Sage.
“The cumulative impact, by activating our teams in this way, is impressive. Our colleagues climbed Australia’s three tallest peaks in 30 hours, cycled from London to Newcastle, joined a spin-a-thon in South Africa and made donations at Carnival parties in Brazil, to name just a handful of great events.”
In the UK, one of the many charities supported is Working Chance (www.workingchance.org), who support women leaving the care and criminal justice systems to find secure employment.
Working Chance’s Head of Recruitment Richard Davis-Lyons joined the Sage running team at the Sage Reading Half Marathon this year.
He said, “Sage Foundation has donated £16,000 to Working Chance since it began working with us two years ago. This has funded debt workshops to support 50 women in budgeting, saving and managing debt to achieve economic sustainability in their new lives.
“Each year we place 200 women into jobs with an average salary of around £22,000 and we are extremely grateful to Sage Foundation for their help.”