We are passionate about helping others and doing as much as we can to give back to those that need it most.
We ensure we are actively involved in the local community, sponsoring the Sussex Cricket Foundation, plus
raising money and awareness for Cancer Research UK and Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
These three charities in particular are very dear to our team’s hearts, with personal ties to them which have
motivated us to try and help and support the great work they do.
As a team of people who have personally gone through difficult events and have been supported by some amazing
charities, we understand how important it is to do our bit. We are constantly looking for ways we can be
more involved in the local community, and what fundraisers we can engage with to raise money and spread the
message about these worthy causes. Not only for the three highlighted below, but also other local charitable
organisations.
More about Cancer Research UK
Cancer is something which affects so many people, that we felt it was a charity we had to be part of. There
are many ways you can support Cancer Research UK, but our main goal is to fundraise for them. Every donation
makes a difference, so we have taken part in multiple opportunities available to us over the past couple of
years.
In March 2022, we sponsored The
Glitter Ball in aid of Cancer Research UK. It was a great occasion and a
really good opportunity to give back to a wonderful charity. Overall, an impressive total of £23,000 was
raised and donated to a brilliant cause. It was a great experience to be part of and to see so many people
come together to raise money.
Previously, we have also taken part in team challenges to raise money for Cancer Research UK. In May 2021, as
a team, we completed the 100 push-ups a day challenge. In total, we completed 43,400 push-ups across the
month and raised £326 (exceeding our target of £200). This is a really great way to come together as a team,
as well as taking part in a Cancer Research UK challenge!
We will continue to take part in annual events as well as host our own to raise money for this charity. Watch
this space for more events to come! We’d love you to get involved.
For more information visit their website.
More about the Sussex Cricket Foundation
We are very proud sponsors of the Sussex Cricket Foundation and are actively involved with them across the
year. The club is very close to the heart of several of our team members and a charity which we work very
closely with.
We have recently extended our partnership for a further two years, which includes sponsoring the shirts for
both the Sussex D40 (Disability Cricket) and Sussex VI (Visually Impaired) Sharks squads for the 2022 and
2023 seasons. This sponsorship will ensure both squads have access to the coaching and resources needed to
ensure success on the pitch and raise the profile of Disability Cricket across Sussex and beyond. Both
squads now have regular access to world-class training facilities at Aerotron Indoor School, which is
something we are proud of!
We recently were invited to The County Disability Cricket Awards to celebrate the achievements of the Sussex
Visually Impaired, Sussex D40 and the Super 9s Development squad. We also presented an award for the Sussex
VI Sharks B1 (Totally Blind), Player of the Year 2022 and, Matt Smith presented a match ball and signed
shirt to commemorate Alfie Pyle scoring 162 runs against Surrey in their first-ever game at The 1st Central County Ground!
We have really loved being involved in so many community aspects this year. Volunteering at the
Discoverability Day was a very proud moment for us, bringing fun and enjoyment to hundreds of local school
kids.
For more information visit their website.
More about Crohn’s & Colitis UK
Over 500,000 people in the UK (that's at least one in 210 people) have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
The inspiration behind supporting this charity came from a personal experience within the Webtrends Optimize
team. One of our colleagues was diagnosed with IBD at the age of 40, after experiencing symptoms of weight
loss, the urgent need to go to the bathroom, diarrhoea combined with blood and mucus, severe mouth ulcers
and general fatigue. He talks about how he has lived with his diagnosis and what spreading awareness means
to him.
"I guess we all know what it's like to feel invisible at some point in our
lives, the feeling of not
being seen or heard, but the feeling doesn't last long-term. But for people living with IBD, this is
something they combat in everyday life. While someone may look fine, their intestines could be inflamed
and ulcerated causing them excruciating pain.
For years I was ill-advised that I was suffering from IBS, I was even
misdiagnosed with stress & placed
on antidepressant therapy. I tried every diet to eliminate trigger foods, I even lived off a diet of
rice & chicken for weeks (even for breakfast). I paid privately for food intolerance tests, but the
symptoms remained. Eventually & after a privately funded colonoscopy I received my Ulcerative Colitis
diagnosis and I immediately started on a treatment plan to manage my condition. Since the diagnosis, I
have managed things well with long spells of remission, but recently over the last couple of years, my
flare-ups have become more regular & severe.
I'm pleased to say things are much better for me now after my consultant
prescribed me a TNF Biologic
therapy treatment, that I self-inject bi-weekly. It seems to be doing the trick and I have now been in
remission since starting the treatment back in November last year.
I’m really glad Webtrends Optimize is promoting the charity. Not only does it
provide wider awareness,
but also ongoing support to enhance my well-being."
The money raised will help the charity to:
- Provide high-quality information to support those in need when using their Helpline services
- Campaign for better health services and improved lives for people with Crohn’s and Colitis
- Fund vital research into treatments for the conditions
For more information visit their website.
