GAP keeps Giving
19 November 2020
Not many people would be willing to endure a Bush Tucker Trial involving the consumption of exotic foodstuffs normally found in the wild, but that’s one of the challenges that GAP staff have participated in to raise funds for charity.
The hirer set up its charitable foundation GAP Giving in 2015, which donates 0.5% of annual profits to charities across the UK and beyond.
In the 2019/2020 financial year, the company donated £107,112 to no fewer than 117 different charities, each chosen by a GAP employee.
Funds are raised in various ways. In GAP Match, if an employee is taking part in an event, the company matches the amount they achieve up to a maximum of £750. Some £17,124 was amassed in this way, through walking, running, cycling, climbing and abseiling - besides eating bugs – and this has supported worthy causes such as Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, Chris’ House, Ronald McDonald House and Down Syndrome Extra 21.
Other initiatives within the Foundation are the GAP Donate and Charities of the Month schemes, which together contributed £89,988. In the former, employees can nominate a cause they think is worthy of support, and in the Charities of the Month scheme each division and department suggests a charity every month to receive £1,000. Recipients have included DEBRA, The Nook, Happy Days Children’s Charity, Dog’s Trust, Lindsey Lodge Hospice and The Tommy Crush Foundation.
The pandemic has made people generally think about others and this blog has reported on several generous initiatives introduced by hirers and suppliers.
Douglas Anderson, GAP joint managing director, says the company has long been aware of this responsibility. “Giving back to the community is something that has always been very important to GAP. It’s the reason why we introduced GAP Giving and all of our employees are encouraged to participate by nominating a charity that is close to their heart.”
