West of Scotland Business Groups raise over £25,000 for charities

BNI Scotland West, a collection of business networking groups raised over £25,000 for charities during a forfeit challenge and a Zoom Race night held on Friday the 12^th of June 2020.

BNI Scotland West forms part of the largest and most successful networking organisation the world, last year BNI members generated over £7.7million of business for each other in Glasgow, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. BNI’s sole purpose is to generate business for its members.

Executive Director for the Region, Rob Copeland decided to engage with all the charities that were member in the region and see how BNI could help generate much needed funds for these worthwhile causes. After smashing the target Rob said “I am amazed at the amount money was have raised for these fantastic charities and I know all this money will help make a huge difference to people lives. We originally hoped to hit £10,000 but with the collaboration of all the charities we have lived up to the philosophy of BNI “Givers Gain^®”

The money was raised through the race night, an auction carried out at the race night and the individual groups raising money via a forfeit for their chosen charity. These forfeits included waxing their legs and chests, drinking baked bean smoothies, doing ice bucket challenges, eating a chili while running a zoom meeting dresses as a lobster and a 26km run in under 2 hours.

The charities that will benefit from the fundraising are:

Finding your Feet a charity based in Paisley who support amputees

Cancer Support Scotland

CHAS

Friends of MBWA a charity based in Glasgow who help the fight against rabies in Tanzania

Beautiful Inside and Out – a charity based in Kilmarnock that supports bereaved families of suicide victims.

Megan’s Space a charity based in Irvine that supports young people in dealing with suicidal feelings and thoughts. This charity was set up after the death of Rob and Jenny Copeland’s daughter in September 2019 to suicide.

Down Syndrome Scotland

Co Founder of Finding Your Feet and Scotswoman of the year Cor Hutton said “It’s amazing to see so many local business link up to support us. We’ve only recently joined the BNI Group but the benefits have been apparent from the start. Its great to get networking and shout about what we do, the money raised from this will allow us to continue to support some of the most vulnerable in society during uncertain times”

CHAS Community Fundraiser Rachel Gedge, said: “We are so incredibly grateful to BNI Nexus for helping to raise so much for CHAS. You only have to watch the video to see just how much fun those who have taken part have had! My person favourite was when one member had a bucket of baked beans thrown over him! The group have committed to continuing to support CHAS in the future. They are a very active group and we are thrilled to have their support.”

The forfeits are all on BNI Scotland West Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/bniscotlandwest/

For further information please contact: Rob Copeland, Executive Director rob@bni-scotlandwest.co.uk or mob: 0780 8583050.