At Taggstar, the concept of Giving Back is ingrained in our DNA. We love to support our team and charities and causes close to their hearts, whether through volunteering or fundraising.
Our Giving Back programme is wide-ranging and includes Taggstar fund-matching. This comes from our charity pot, which we top up with each new contract we sign. Anyone in the team can nominate causes close to their heart they want to support by suggesting them to our charity committee, which coordinates our activities. We particularly love to work with smaller charities that may not have such a high profile as their larger peers and to which our colleagues have a personal connection, and our donation can have a greater impact.
Below are 10 of our favorite Giving Back projects, which show just how proud we are of how our team get involved:
- Tough Mudder for Thames Hospice
Earlier this year, the Taggstar team got down and dirty at a Tough Mudder event in aid of Thames Hospice, raising more than £4,000 in total. One of our sales executives managed to talk eight of his fellow Taggstar teammates to join him in the Tough Mudder London West event in Henley-on-Thames, which is deemed the hilliest of them all. He nominated Thames Hospice after one of his close relatives had experienced end-of-life care at the centre, which serves people across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.
- Kids Ark Foundation
Our lead engineer Stan Svec has lived in Thailand for the past five years and was impressed by the work of the Kids Ark Foundation, which supports and promotes early childhood education through three House of Hope after-school programmes and a daycare centre. Together with child sponsorships, the foundation serves nearly 300 children. He was so moved by the warmth of the children and their enthusiasm to learn that he decided to sponsor two children for a year – and we matched him in doing so.
- Disasters Emergency Committee
When Turkey and Syria were hit with a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake earlier this year, we knew we had to do something to help, especially since some of the Taggstar team have family and friends there (thankfully, all were safe). We donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee to support them in providing emergency food and shelter to those impacted by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.
- Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Team Taggstar is known for achieving big things, but in a walk from London to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, In 2022, in solidarity with those impacted by the war, we challenged ourselves to a virtual walk totalling 1,492 miles in support of the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. It took three weeks and nearly 3 million combined steps, but we did it, raising vital funds in the process.
- Make A Difference Foundation
We supported those in Ukraine again for the 2023 International Day of Charity by donating to the Make A Difference Foundation (MAD) to support its Operation Safe Drop. The organization helps to collate, coordinate and transport supplies such as medical goods, food and clothing in convoys that deliver such vital supplies to families in need of urgent assistance in multiple drops throughout the country.
- Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital bake-off
We’re suckers for a slice of cake. Couple that with the competitive nature of our team and a bake-off at our offices in Holborn, London was always going to be good fun, especially as we themed it around Thanksgiving in homage to our US team. As well as the tasty treats, we used it as an excuse for some Thanksgiving-themed dressing up and donated the money raised to London’s famous Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity in thanks for the amazing work that they do.
- Maggie’s Centres
Maggie’s Centres operates a network of 24 centres across the UK, providing both practical and emotional support for those with cancer, as well as their families. We’ve been involved with this remarkable charity for some time, in particular, joining them each Christmas since 2021 for their annual carol concert, which helps to raise additional funds for the charity.
- Goldfinger’s People’s Kitchen
Goldfinger’s People’s Kitchen was established during the pandemic to provide the delivery of restaurant-quality meals for the vulnerable in North Kensington – who had previously enjoyed a monthly get-together community meal in person in the People’s Kitchen within Goldfinger’s building. During the pandemic, their team of volunteers delivered meals on the third Sunday of every month, and more than 11,000 meals have been delivered. We sponsored this service several times. It’s not only fantastic to support such a great giving-back initiative, but we loved meeting the local residents, too, whilst delivering the meals.
- London Fire Brigade FC
We’re even a football team sponsor, having supported London Fire Bridge FC. The inclusive club has four teams that include firefighters from across London. As well as providing a welcome break from a stressful role, the football team also has a wider part to play in getting youngsters off London’s streets.
- A chocolate treat for staff at Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital
During the pandemic, our CEO, Majorie Leonidas, wanted to say a personal thank you to staff seeking refuge in the new Wellness zone which had been set up in the hospital. She donated 1,000 luxury Prestat chocolate bars, delivered in time for Easter to bring a smile to their faces.
Up next: 10-mile Thames Bridges trek
Of course, our Giving Back work doesn’t stop with these ten initiatives. We are always looking for good causes to support and are now busy planning our next event. We are celebrating our 10-year anniversary with a 10-mile walk of 10 Thames Bridges on 9th November (yes, we know it should have been on the 10th October, but we’re busy that day!). Our Taggstar team will be asking friends and family to sponsor them for the trek, and Taggstar will then match what is raised. Funds will be donated to support the homeless in London, of which there were more than 13,000 last year, with one person becoming homeless every ten minutes in London.
