Waitrose Weybridge, Charity Fundraising Week

Waitrose organised a Charity Week in which all branches were encouraged to raise funds for local charities. The week ran from the 18th to 24th February and we were thrilled to find out the Weybridge branch had chosen Georgie's Fund as the benefactor of their weeks fundraising. Karen Smith was the Charities Co-ordinator for Weybridge it was her job to inspire the staff to raise as much money as possible. Karen did a great job and was helped alot by Ann Roles (Branch Cook). Some of the events that they ran that week included:

Guess how many sweets in the jar, they charged 50p a guess and the jar was won by Ann.

Julia Lovell organised a guess the amount of the shopping trolley which involved filling up a trolley with goods and then charging the staff to guess the value of the content. This was won by Dennis.

There was a Guess the name of the Teddy competition. The teddy was donated by Martin's of Esher, the teddie's name was Hubert and was won by Checkout Manager Robert Baker.

Along with Ann, a number of Staff made cakes or persuaded relatives to, to sell at a cake sale which was manned by Karen Smith, Becky Penfold, Val Knight and Ann Roles and raised £65. (An example of Ann's lovely cakes can be seen at the top).

Michael Eastmead cycled nearly 25 miles to raise more than £150 despite not having ridden a bike for many years! He rode from Addlestone to Kingston accompanied by fellow partner Jon Blannin.

There was a slave auction where staff donated skills, such as ironing, cleaning, decorating and gardening, which were bid for by each other.

There was also an auction of goods all donated by staff, which included a necklace made by Gillian Fyfe's sister and a digital camera donated be Gillian's old employers. Ann's niece Genette very generously donated a weeks holiday at her apartment in Menorca.

Lynn Luckhurst makes beautiful handmade cards which she very kindly sold for the week to staff giving the proceeds to Georgie's Fund.

Keith Langley washed partners cars for £5 each.

As well as all this there was a tombola, where all the prizes were again donated by staff. A poker night, pool night and a football team competition organised by Vince.

What makes it all the more amazing is that the staff were not allowed to approach customers, all the money that they raised a whopping £1,406.96 came out of their own pockets.

We went along to Weybridge to be presented with the cheque where we met many of the people involved in the fundraising. We were made so welcome they were such a lovely bunch of people and so enthusiastic about their fundraising.

Thank-you Waitrose so much for all your very hard work, in charities week we are so greatful for all that you have done and it was lovely to meet you all.