Aegon UK and Aegon Asset Management are pleased to announce that they will be supporting this year’s Pride Edinburgh on 25th June and Fife Pride later on this year.
After two full years away due to the pandemic, both Prides are back for 2022 for a celebration of diversity and LGBTQIA+ life in Edinburgh, Fife and beyond.
This year marks the 25th annual Pride Edinburgh, being titled Pride Edinburgh 25: Let it Be! The day will be filled with fun, inclusive events, including a march from the Scottish Parliament that ends with a music festival.
To make sure that everyone who wants to take part can, Aegon is sponsoring a Ride with Pride bus to help those more vulnerable the opportunity to join in with the march and the festivities.
As sponsors, and a major employer in Edinburgh, Aegon will also have a presence at the event to engage with attendees about Aegon, how the company celebrates inclusivity and diversity, as well as it’s sustainability initiatives.
When Fife Pride returns later this year, it will take place in the centre of Kirkcaldy, with activities from the likes of Surge theatre company, who, sponsored by Aegon, are running free street theatre workshops for the local community in the lead up, with participants being part of a performance on the day itself. Aegon employees will be supporting the workshop and will be there on the day.
Andy Manson, Chief Marketing Officer at Aegon UK, said:“After two years of having many big events cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s really exciting that our communities can return to celebrating Pride in person again.
“At Aegon, we’re passionate about creating an inclusive working environment that celebrates all forms of diversity and individuality. We’re really excited to be supporting Pride events again this year: it’s just one of the ways we demonstrate our dedication to being an inclusive employer where everyone can be fully themselves and feel that they belong by celebrating our differences.
“After two years of virtual celebrations, it’s bound to be a fun, lively experience. We wish everyone who attends a wonderful time.”
Total includes more than £86,000 for two Scottish charities – Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and Alzheimer Scotland – and £38,665.51 for the national charity partner Macmillan
Aegon will support Blood Bikes Scotland and Marie Curie Edinburgh as local charity partners and Prince’s Trust as national charity partner in 2021
The pandemic didn’t stall fundraising in 2020, as Aegon UK employees working with their Atos colleagues raised a total of £142,368.06 for nine employee selected charity partners UK wide.(Who donated the 6p? – Ed.)
The company charity committees and employees coordinated everything from raffles, quizzes and dress up days, to running challenges, virtual coffee mornings and pet competitions to raise funds throughout the year. Aegon UK then matched these funds pound for pound, bringing the grand charitable total to £142,368.06 for the nine charity partners.
25% of all funds raised went to the national charity, Macmillan and 75% of money raised in each location went to the local charity or charities. The local charities selected by the employees in Edinburgh were Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and Alzheimer Scotland .
Due to the lockdown, cheque presentations took place virtually this year for most of the charities, with just a couple of the cheques being delivered in person by Aegon employees.
A breakdown of the funds raised for each of the nine charities can be found below.
Mike Holliday-Williams, CEO, Aegon UK commented:“The pandemic presented our charity committees and employees with a fresh fundraising challenge this year. The usual bake sales and dress down days were no longer possible when the offices closed. But Aegon employees rose to this challenge and came up with a steady stream of wonderful ideas to ensure our charities were well taken care of, lifting everyone’s spirits in the process.
“Pet competitions, ready steady cook at home challenges, the 555 running challenge quizzes, dress up days, virtual coffee mornings, raffles and so much more – I was in awe at the persistence and creativity from everyone involved.
“Employees have gone above and beyond in 2020 to support the company’s commitment to giving back to our local communities – from nominating the charities close to their hearts, through to the passion and dedication shown in raising these funds for fantastic causes. I’m extremely impressed with the dedication and efforts of those involved, especially during a global pandemic.
“I would also like to thank the charity committees across all the locations for their hard work in keeping up the momentum and delivering for our charity partners. Helping people is at the core of what Aegon does as a business, and the fundraising work we do as a company is a key part of that.”
Michelle Campbell, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan said:“This is an acutely challenging time for people living with cancer, the NHS and for cancer care. We are doing whatever it takes to make sure our vital support continues to be available.
“Funding is needed more than ever, so for Aegon to exceed their original target and donate £38,665.51 is more than we could have imagined. This type of donation pays for a Macmillan support worker for over a year, helping people living with cancer receive the help they need.
“We would like to thank Aegon for their continued support throughout the year and for the outstanding amount raised.”
Rami Okasha, CEO at CHAS said:“Staff at Aegon have done amazing work to help children with life-shortening conditions across Scotland. We at CHAS just can’t thank the team enough.
“The money raised will fund the cost of specialist hospice care for children with short lives, and emotional and practical support for their parents, brothers and sisters. No-one should face the death of their child alone and this partnership takes us one step closer to making that a reality.”
Caroline Miller, Stakeholder Engagement Lead at Alzheimer Scotland said:“It’s been an incredibly challenging year for people living with dementia and their carers. There is an estimated 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland – approximately 60,000 of whom live in the community.
“Each of these people, to different degrees, rely on their daily routines, social interactions, community-based groups and activities, and formal health and social care services, as a way to maintain their wellbeing and live as independently as possible in their own communities.
“All these supports have been disrupted as a direct consequence of this pandemic and the public health restrictions. We’ve seen from the dramatic increase in calls to our helpline, the toll this has taken.
“The generosity of Aegon and their staff during our partnership has been humbling. Despite the restrictions in place, they have continued their fundraising at pace and also responded with a generous gift to our crisis appeal.
“The total of just over £43,000 raised is an incredible achievement in any year but we are so grateful that in this most difficult of years they have made such a contribution. This money will have a real impact on people living with dementia in Scotland as we continue to transform the ways in which we support people living with dementia, their families and carers as we move forward.”
The charities were chosen as the result of a company-wide vote on a shortlist of charities nominated by Aegon UK employees.
In 2021 Aegon UK employees and Atos colleagues will be supporting:
National charity – Prince’s Trust
Edinburgh local charities – Blood Bikes Scotland and Marie Curie Edinburgh
London local charity – London’s Air Ambulance
Manchester local charities – Forever Manchester and Dianne Oxberry Trust
Peterborough local charity – East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH)
Witham local charities – Kids Inspire and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance
Lytham local charity – Trinity Hospice & Brian’s House
Breakdown of funds raised for all Aegon UK charity partners in 2020.
