Like The Ardonagh Group, our people are involved in a huge range of causes, and the diversity of charities we have been able to support through the grant programme reflects this. From mental health to community youth centres and from cancer care to horticultural projects – we've had the opportunity to support charities stretching from Brazil to Australia through nominations from colleagues around the globe.
Projeto Impacto aims to impact children's lives on and off the mats – through the sport of judo. The area is underprivileged and there are many issues with drugs and crime. At the moment, there is a waiting list of more than 40 children. By putting up a new aluminium shed to extend the space, the project will be able to serve twice as many students!
I volunteer for the Community First Responders scheme on a regular basis, doing at least 16 hours a month. It's really rewarding to see people getting help as quickly as possible which can make a huge difference to ambulance crews. The grant from ACT will help us keep responders safe with new body-worn cameras.
In the space of five years, the research team have discovered and tested two experimental therapies from bench to bedside. Having experienced the devastation this has on a family firsthand; this cause is very close to my heart. My involvement with RUN DIPG remains ongoing, as we have not yet found a therapy that provides kids a chance at better survival – but with projects like this, I hope we will get there.