Employee fundraising will make a significant difference to the charity
EMPLOYEES at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, a global aircraft seating manufacturer, have raised over £11,000 for local charity, Cancer Fund for Children through a range of fundraising activities during 2023.
The events were organised by the ‘Collins Kilkeel Connect’ (CKC) committee; a dedicated group made up of 20 employees from a range of departments, which was launched in 2021 to help the company make a positive impact on its employees, the local community, and the environment.
Fundraising activities for Cancer Fund for Children included a 12-week ‘£ for lb’ weight loss challenge, where employees utilised an on-site nutritionist to help establish healthier fitness and eating habits. The total weight loss for the 43 participants came to an incredible 43 stone and 1lbs over the 12-week challenge.
In June, 20 brave employees took to the skies for a charity skydive and further fundraising activities included the creation of a Collins cookbook consisting of employee recipes; the publishing of desk calendars; participation in the Born 2 Run Dambusters race held over various distances in the Mourne Mountains; a couch to 5km challenge, and the sale of Cancer Fund for Children Christmas cards and gifts. A fantastic £11,702 was raised from these activities.
In addition, long-term employee and electrical engineering technician, Damien Cunningham set himself an incredible challenge to run a marathon on each of the seven continents, which also raised vital funds for the charity. Damien successfully concluded his challenge towards the end of 2023 with the Sydney marathon and a gruelling Antarctica expedition marathon, and managed to raise almost £11k for the charity, in addition to that raised by employees.
Alan Henning, Managing Director, Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel spoke about the fundraising efforts of the company and said, “I am very proud of our team here at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel. The time, effort and enthusiasm of each of our employees that took part in our fundraising activities is testament to their commitment to raise money for such an important charity.
“This incredible charity helps children and young people diagnosed with cancer or living with a parent with cancer, offering support to families in their homes and on the hospital ward. At Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, we want to give back to the local community, and ensure that children and young people don’t have to face cancer alone.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our employees who helped raise much needed funds, and also to acknowledge the fantastic achievement by Damien Cunningham, who is an incredibly valued member of our team. We are truly in awe of his commitment to complete a marathon in every continent, and we are very proud of him and his dedication in raising funds for Cancer Fund for Children.”
Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel employees recently presented Aisling Gibson from Cancer Fund for Children with the company’s fundraising money. Aisling said, “I am delighted to accept this donation of £11,702 from Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel. The team took part in some brilliant fundraising activities through the course of last year and this donation will make a real difference to the charity.
“The aim of Cancer Fund for Children is to empower, connect and strengthen families, providing the tools to help bereaved families cope with the emotional pain of losing a child or parent to cancer. We are very grateful to everyone at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel for supporting us and enabling us to help local families that are dealing with the effects of cancer.”
With over 800 employees, Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, an RTX Business, is one of the largest aircraft seating manufacturers in Northern Ireland.
