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FinTrU’s People Go The Extra Mile For Action Cancer
EyeonCharity
FinTrU’s people demonstrating passion for Action Cancer
FinTrU staff pictured at Action Cancer’s Breast Foot Forward Walk in Belfast in October 2021.
Following a company-wide vote, FinTrU –a multi-award-winning business in the financial tech industry - nominated Action Cancer to be their charity partner for two years, across 2021 and 2022.
One of the reasons FinTrU employees voted for Action Cancer was because they offer services across the whole of Northern Ireland and have regional presence in the North West as well as Belfast where FinTrU NI offices are located.
As well as the early detection services such as breast screening, the therapeutic services available are free to any child or adult impacted by cancer, at any stage throughout their cancer journey. In addition to an individual who has been diagnosed, Action Cancer also supports friends, families and carers impacted by a diagnosis as well as those bereaved. These services can help deal with the physical and emotional impacts of cancer e.g. pain, restrictions, fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety and fear.
Therapeutic services available at Action Cancer House and regionally across Northern Ireland via 13 locations include: Complementary Therapy; Counselling; Life Coaching; Scar Therapy; Yoga; Pilates; Positive Living Programme; Peer Mentor Support; and Physiotherapy.
Over the past two years, the relationship between FinTrU and Action Cancer has gone from strength to strength, with FinTrU employees having organised a huge range of exciting fundraising activities during this time. Initiatives throughout the partnership have included: Wellness Week; Online Bingo; Halloween Bake-Offs; Pancake Day; Virtual Quizzes; Talent Competitions; Movember; and Christmas Card Sales. In May 2022, a record 100 FinTrU employees took part in the Belfast City Marathon in aid of Action Cancer - the highest number ever for a corporate entry.
Chief of Staff at FinTrU Katrien Roppe said: “Over the past two years, our employees have thrown themselves into fundraising for Action Cancer. We are so proud to have been able to raise much needed funds, in both our local and the wider community, for such an important charity. We also hope that our presence at events such as the Belfast City Marathon has further raised Action Cancer’s profile and will encourage even more support throughout Northern Ireland.”
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FinTrU staff take on the Stairway to Heaven Walk (Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail) in County Fermanagh in 2022
Corporate Fundraising Manager Action Cancer Lucy McCusker added: “The staggering amount of money raised by FinTrU employees has been gratefully received by Action Cancer. This has made a huge difference to the lives of 5,004 people affected by cancer across NI. This funding will enable us to provide additional life-saving early detection screening appointments, health improvement and therapeutic sessions to local people.
Alongside the fantastic amount of fundraising generated, we have loved working in partnership and building relationships with the FinTrU team, especially with their Charity Committee. The partnership also brought lots of opportunities to spread awareness of cancer signs and symptoms and cancer prevention advice to staff through the delivery of our bespoke health improvement programmes.”
Throughout the 2-year partnership, FinTrU brought the Big Bus to L/Derry and Belfast where their NI bases are located. This allowed employees to access early detection screening services and health checks. Staff also availed of Cancer Awareness Sessions via Microsoft Teams and in-person health checks which were delivered as part of FinTrU’s Wellness Week. Throughout the partnership, employees were frequently supplied with cancer resources and healthy lifestyle information developed by Action Cancer and in line with national campaign days. This was disseminated to staff via their intranet to maximise engagement.
Action Cancer’s ‘In Good Company’ series seeks to highlight the strength and range of current fundraising partnerships.
Darragh McCarthy (FinTrU Founder & CEO) and Katrien Roppe (FinTrU Chief of Staff) with Action Cancer Patron Gloria Hunniford OBE at the launch of the charity’s new Big Bus at Hillsborough Castle in September 2021.
To find out how your company could work in partnership with Action Cancer, please contact Lucy McCusker via email lmccusker@actioncancer.org or call 07743 416325.
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The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts (RUA) is celebrating a 15-year partnership with KPMG as it opens the doors to its Annual Exhibition 2022.
Once again held in the Ulster Museum, the 141st year of the exhibition sees it move to the largest gallery in the museum and accommodates a host of work across a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, print, sculpture, photography and video.
The milestone sponsorship from KPMG marks a two-way partnership which has been hugely beneficial for both organisations. As well as being the main sponsor, the professional services firm also sponsors the KPMG Young Artist Award. This year’s winner, chosen by KPMG staff, was by recent Ulster University graduate Oisin McDonnell for ‘Eternity in an Hour’.
Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland, said: “The RUA Annual Exhibition is a highlight in the KPMG calendar, particularly so this year as we celebrate 15 years working together. We are immensely proud of a partnership which has proved so worthwhile for us as a firm and again shown that close cooperation between business and the arts is a powerful combination.
“Congratulations to all the finalists and to the RUA for curating such a fine exhibition. The works from some of our most exciting established and up and coming artists have once again proved that this exhibition draws some of the best talent in the world.”
Dan Dowling, President of the RUA, said: “The RUA Annual Exhibition showcases a plethora of both established and up-and-coming artistic talent which cements this event’s welldeserved reputation as world class. Throughout the exhibition we also run a very comprehensive outreach and education programme which includes guided tours and ‘meet the artist’ talks. Best of all, entry to the exhibition and the events are free”.
“Thanks to KPMG for its continued support and to the Ulster Museum for hosting the exhibition.
The adjudicator for the RUA Annual Exhibition 2022 is Belfastborn artist, writer, DJ, broadcaster and journalist, Joe Lindsay.
The exhibition runs until 3rd January 2023.
Johnny Hanna of KPMG with adjudicator Joe Lindsay and RUA President Dan Dowling.
BGF Invests £5m In BallymenaBased Clarke Group
BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor, has invested £5m in Clarke Group, a Ballymena-based specialist façade provider, to support its growth across the UK and Ireland.
Founded in 1996 by Michael Clarke, the family-owned business specialises in innovative design-led façade projects, providing an end-toend service to blue-chip construction industry clients such as Berkeley, Morgan Sindall, and Balfour Beatty.
With a strong market reputation for producing a high quality, sustainable product and cutting-edge designs for high-rise commercial and residential buildings, Clarke has recently experienced growth averaging 25% each year since 2018 and delivering revenue in 2022 of close to £30m.
In June, the business also opened a new high-spec head office and state of the art offsite manufacturing facility in Ballymena to support team expansion as it aims to become an industry leader.
The investment from BGF will provide Clarke with working capital as it continues to scale across the UK and Ireland.
BGF’s Talent Network has also introduced Adrian Ringrose, an experienced leader within the construction industry, to the business as Non-Executive Chair.
Eugene Clarke, Managing Director of Clarke, said: “With increased regulation regarding the fire safety of high-rise buildings post-Grenfell, the demand for safe and sustainable façades and cladding has increased. Our market leading designs and sector-experienced team mean we’re fast becoming the partner of choice for top tier construction firms across the UK.
“It was important for us to find an investment partner that could provide not only capital, but also expertise at Board level to support the company as it scales. The access to BGF’s network has been invaluable and we’re also delighted to welcome Adrian to the team.”
BGF is the UK and Ireland’s most active and dynamic investor of equity capital in growth economy companies, backing entrepreneurs and innovators. It has now invested c.£65m into Northern Irish businesses, making it one of the most significant investors in the region.
Chris Nixon, Investor at BGF, added: “The UK façade market dynamics are extremely strong and double-digit sector growth will be underpinned in the long term by fire safety and ESGrelated demand. When you combine this with Clarke’s track record of quality and excellence, its impressive customer base, and a focussed and experienced management team, we believe the business is perfectly primed to take further market share in the coming years.
“We’re delighted to be supporting the business at such a pivotal point in their growth journey.”
