Generous Virgin Media O2 staff rally together, raising an astonishing £65,000 for Slough Foodbank through unexpected means

2023-09-21 12:35:04

Virgin Media O2 Staff Raise Over £65,000 for Slough Foodbank

Virgin Media O2 has donated more than £65,000 to Slough Foodbank following an initiative which allowed staff to buy office equipment and furniture from the company’s old Slough office. The funds will help the foodbank provide food, gas and electricity vouchers to those in need in the area.

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• Initiative Led by Riki Bali: The initiative was led by Virgin Media O2’s Project Operations Manager, Riki Bali. Under his guidance, cycle pods, desks, and chairs have also been donated to local schools and fire stations.

On 21 September, Virgin Media O2 donated more than £65,000 to a foodbank after allowing staff across the UK to buy furniture and equipment from the company’s old Slough office. After the closure of the office in July, a small team of employees launched an online catalogue where colleagues could purchase various items.

Having set a target of £7,500 initially, they far exceeded it in just seven weeks. All funds raised have been donated to Slough Foodbank.

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Some noteworthy purchases from the online catalogue include gym equipment bought for £1,800 and a 100-inch smart TV that contributed £1,000. Sofas from the office reception area each added £100 to the total, and a pool table was sold for £650.

Riki Bali, Project Operations Manager at Virgin Media O2, said: “After leaving our Slough office, we knew some of our equipment and furniture was no longer required. Rather than let it go to landfill, we gave our people the opportunity to give these items a second life while supporting local good causes.

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“This donation will make a real difference to people in the area, helping to keep them safe, warm and fed this winter.”

The money donated by Virgin Media O2 will allow Slough Foodbank to provide food, gas, and electricity vouchers to those in need in the area.

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Laura Cole, Slough Foodbank Manager, said: “We are so grateful for this incredible gift from Virgin Media O2 and would like to extend our thanks to everyone who supported us, with special thanks to Riki for organizing the fundraising. To receive £65,573 as one donation is staggering to us. It quite literally is a life-changing amount and will make a huge difference to the people of Slough and the surrounding area who are in food poverty crisis.

“In addition to emergency food parcels, this money will provide emergency fuel vouchers for home gas or electricity for clients who top up their meter at a pay point or a post office. This will enable clients to heat the food we provide.”

The initiative has not only benefited Slough Foodbank, but also local schools, fire stations, and charities. Burnham Grammar School will receive two cycle pods that will be converted into changing rooms for their sports teams. Other schools have received desks and tables for their classrooms and canteens, and a local fire station will receive high stools and a table. Additionally, all crockery has been donated to the Women’s Refuge in Reading.

Dylan Featherstone, Project & Operations Manager at Burnham Grammar School, said: “Burnham Grammar School is incredibly grateful for Virgin Media O2’s generous donation of the two cycle pods. In previous years, we have received donations of office furniture from Virgin Media O2, and we are very lucky to have been donated the cycle pods which are in excellent condition.

“Over time, we intend to convert the cycle pods into changing and showering facilities for our students and the local community. This generous donation will have a significant positive impact on our students.”

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