QAS News

A look back and a view forward

Our Community fund was set up to help us get more involved in our local area and to encourage and support employees in participating in charitable events. Since its inception in 2001, we have donated an amazing £100,000 to local causes, charities and staff sponsorships.

There's been lots of activity in the last quarter. Our first ever dress down day held on November 16th for Children in Need was a great success. Many employees spent time baking, raising a fantastic £275 with cakes and biscuits. In total we were able to donate £2,281 to the cause.

Payroll Giving was also launched in November, enabling staff to donate money to chosen charities directly through payroll from their gross salary, costing them less and giving the charities more!

Getting active is a great way to help raise money for the charities close to our hearts, with QAS matching sponsorships. Jake Niarchos, Business Partner Account Manager, completed a series of challenges over the summer including the London Triathlon and the first leg of the Tour de France, all in aid of Leukaemia Research. Andrew Logan, an account manger based in our Manchester office completed the 3 peaks challenge in aid of Action Medical Research. Josh Newman, Telesales Account Manager, organised a football tournament involving 7 teams including several other QAS players, to raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières specifically for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Patrick van Oosterom, Infrastructure Consultant, swam the length of the channel with the help of his wife and a friend to help people with spinal cord injuries and their families.

Most recently QAS donated £4,000 to the Save the Children fund by opting to send a Christmas e-card to customers, rather than a traditional one via the post. With the savings made from sending an email, we were able to make a donation to a charity, decided upon by employees voting for their favourite cause.

Looking ahead to 2008, we have set up an environmental committee to look at ways of reducing our environmental impact and promoting greener working practices. I look forward to providing an update later in the year on what has been achieved so far.

Susie Stokes, HR Director