A staff-led initiative raising both funds and profile - at no direct cost to your organisation.

What is the Baton Challenge?

This is a dynamic initiative being introduced by Headway Cambridgeshire and is a way for the corporate sector to support us. It does not involve your organisation giving money, unless you operate a matched funding policy. The concept is based on challenge and fun!

You will receive a Baton Challenge trophy for the duration of your tenure and as holders of the Baton you are challenged to raise financial support for Headway Cambridgeshire for the benefit of people with brain injury, their families and carers.

You will hold the Baton for a finite period of time and you decide the start and finishing dates. We only ask that at the end of your time you hand the Baton to another organisation willing to get involved and raise money for Headway Cambridgeshire in a similar way.

We can help you co-ordinate activities and events, help with producing press releases and in co-ordinating media coverage. This will also ensure that we are raising the profile of both our organisations and increasing awareness of brain injury at the same time.

Every company is different, with varying resources and personnel, so the scheme will be individually designed by you with help from us at Headway Cambridgeshire to suit your size and structure. The objectives are not only to help Headway Cambridgeshire, but also to ensure YOU benefit as well.

During the period the Baton is held, you will be encouraged to promote fundraising projects involving staff at all levels within your company. This might include:

• Running a marathon to raise money
• Participating in local fun-runs
• Taking part in sponsored cycle rides
• Making collections on our behalf
• Organising an auction of promises
• Running golf days or other sporting events

In fact anything you can think of that will be fun to do and will raise money at the same time.

How will you benefit?

There are many unexpected and lasting benefits from taking part in the Baton Challenge scheme, and these benefits are obtained while having fun and supporting a good cause at the same time.

The scheme will be an excellent way to raise morale by involving staff in charitable support, either individually or as part of a team. They will also get a sense of pride and increased self-esteem from helping to support people with a brain injury.

As an employer you will know the value and benefit of encouraging your staff to co-operate and work together to help the community. Organisations that accept the Baton Challenge will find it an outstanding team-building opportunity.

It will also support your own corporate social responsibilities and be an excellent way of increasing the profile of your organisation through the publicity that we can generate together.

We hope you will accept the Headway Cambridgeshire Baton Challenge and we look forward to working with you. To take up the challenge, please contact Andrew Gardner, CEO, Headway Cambridgeshire on 01223 576550 or by email.

 Who's holding the Baton right now?

Meet Karen Bevan, Headway Cambridgeshire's Fundraising Manager.

May 2011