Foresters supports Wallace & Gromit to establish the charity's first ever internship
Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity and Foresters are celebrating the success of the charity’s first ever internship – an additional £20,000 raised for charity thanks to Foresters’ generous support.
Marie Storey from the charity says, “As a small charity facing increasing demand for support we desperately needed help but could not afford new employees, this is where Foresters stepped in. Together with Foresters we felt that in the current employment market it was essential to invest in graduates with a paid internship, to offer them the opportunity to learn about the charity and gain professional experience. Thanks to Foresters support we have been able to offer this with our first Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity internship which has brought great benefits to the charity including new IT and social media skills as well as a fresh perspective to our work.”
The internship has so far enabled the charity to engage over 3000 new supporters in the charity’s winter event the BIG Bake and increase social media engagement by 15% helping to raise an additional £20,000 for the charity.
The charity, supported by Foresters, recruited Kelly Drewry, a 23 year old graduate who had been working tirelessly to find an opportunity to work in the charity sector. “I am currently working as a Fundraising and Communications Intern at Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity. I initially wanted to work for a charity to gain experience and knowledge of the sector, but what I actually got was so much more. Throughout my internship I have had invaluable support from my colleagues and a great deal of responsibility which really makes a difference to the charity. Opportunities come in thick and fast and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute thus far and am extremely grateful for this cracking opportunity.”
Steve Dilworth Managing Director, Member Network UK, from Foresters adds “We are delighted to help Wallace & Gromit with some additional resources. It is great to see a graduate be able to leave university and find employment in a role which enables her to contribute towards society, help the community and work for such a wonderful charity. The end result will be better support for hundreds of children and families."
With nearly 1 in 10 of new graduates believed to be unemployed, competition for roles increasing and 4% less vacancies in the sector overall it is a real challenge for graduates to get a foot in the door. Over 200 people applied for Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity internship.
Nicola Masters, Director of Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity says
“We are very grateful to Foresters for supporting our first internship and hope to work with them in the future to continue this successful and beneficial internship programme.”
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CONTACT:
Steve Dilworth, MD Member Network UK, Foresters on: 0208 628 3400 or email: steve.dilworth@foresters.co.uk
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ABOUT WALLACE & GROMIT’S CHILDREN’S CHARITY
Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity is a national charity created in 2003 to improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
For more information and to register for your free fundraising pack, log on to http://www.wallaceandgromitfoundation.org/ or call 0845 600 1924
Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity organises popular annual fundraiser ‘Wrong Trousers Day’, and ‘Wallace & Gromit’s BIG Bake’, which have raised over £2 million since 2003.
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