Sodexo raised over £185,000 at its Stop Hunger Foundation charity dinner last night

More than 450 guests attended the black-tie dinner at The Dorchester Hotel, London, the grand finale to the year’s fundraising activities for Stop Hunger, a campaign that aims to tackle poor nutrition in local communities across the UK and Ireland.

Throughout the evening guests learnt how the money raised promotes healthy lifestyles, provides food to those in need and supports charities such as FareShare, SSAFA and The Trussell Trust.

Sean Haley, regional chair, Sodexo UK & Ireland recognised a number of employees for their efforts in supporting the Foundation. Sarah Masson received the Volunteer Award for her enthusiasm for the #mystophungerpledge campaign. She was instrumental in recruiting and organising volunteering for Sodexo’s Energy and Resources colleagues.

Tim Wright was the winner of the Most Innovative Fundraising Idea Award for organising 15 of his colleagues to take part in the Dunwich Dynamo, a yearly, overnight 200km cycle from London to the Suffolk Coast. His great enthusiasm for the event attracted 15 colleagues in 2017 raising a whopping £3,400 for Stop Hunger.

Rezki Karar from Sodexo Government Services team won the Stop Hunger Day Initiative Award.  Rezki raised money by shaving his head and encouraged his colleagues to participate in a Regent’s Park run He has also been involved in several volunteering and fundraising activities for Stop Hunger throughout the year, including parachute jumping and climbing Mount Snowdon.

The final award of the night, the Charity Champion Award, went to audit and compliance manager Mark Welshman. His ongoing engagement with the Stop Hunger team and all the initiatives and campaigns put forward. As the Charity Champion for Government Services, he has been committed and passionate throughout the past two years, raising a significant amount for Stop Hunger. Mark has given up his own time and money as part of these endeavors too - spending weekends away with the team and jumping out of an airplane. Mark has even raised the Government Services target from £7.5 to £12k for this financial year

The main event of the evening was the live auction with prizes ranging from tickets to Brighton & Hove Albion Football club, an exclusive tour of the House of Lords and a VIP weekend for two in Paris.

Thanks to hard work and support, we make it possible for hundreds of vulnerable people to get off the streets and enjoy a hot meal; give families on low income the chance to give their children the nutrition they need to grow into healthy adults; and give disadvantaged young people a better understanding of how they can live a healthier lifestyle.

Sean Haley, Sodexo UK & Ireland region chair, said: “Over the years, Stop Hunger has touched upon thousands of lives and continues to make a difference. I’m delighted how much the Sodexo Foundation has flourished – both internationally and in the UK & Ireland. Sodexo aims to make a difference by supporting our local communities, which is at the heart of everything we do and our corporate mission is to improve the quality of life for all our stakeholders.”

 

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