USING THE POWER OF SPORT TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE WITH STREETGAMES
Wed, 09 Sep 2020
In addition to looking out for our customers, partners and colleagues, here at BNP Paribas Personal Finance we also feel it's vitally important to support our local communities to help make a positive impact.
Over the years, we've worked with a number of organisations that use the principles of sport to teach life skills to disadvantaged young people, partnering with charities such as Dallaglio RugbyWorks.
Another incredible charity harnessing the power of sport to create positive change is StreetGames, which works tirelessly to help make young people and their communities healthier, safer and more successful.
We sat down with Mandy West, head of corporate and major donor fundraising at StreetGames, to talk about BNP Paribas' partnership with the charity and how the money raised through the 'Aces from the Heart' initiative will make a difference.
Levelling the playing field
StreetGames' work is delivered in partnership with the StreetGames Alliance, which is made up of around 1,400 locally trusted organisations, including youth clubs and refugee and community groups, that are at the heart of some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on these local organisations and the individuals they support, as Mandy explains: "These young people, who in many cases already come from chaotic homes, have had these issues magnified during lockdown, meaning they need our support now more than ever."
StreetGames has been able to reach out to these young people and their families through these organisations by providing the funding and materials that they needed to adapt to the ever-changing situation.
Mandy says: "From live streaming workout sessions to delivering food packages to those in need, the work we've been doing with these local organisations has provided a vital lifeline to the vulnerable during this challenging time."
BNP Paribas first began working with StreetGames last year when we chose them as the beneficiary of our 'Aces from the Heart' campaign which ran at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen's.
This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the LTA hosted a British tour which took place in July at the National Tennis Centre, and we pledged to donate £25 to the charity for every ace served. The event was a huge success and we managed to raise £20,000 for the charity overall.
Locally to our Personal Finance UK headquarters, £5,000 of the funds raised will be donated to people in Solihull through the StreetGames 'Fit and Fed' project, to help young people and their families gain access to nutritious meals and other essential items.
This donation will also help local organisations to distribute sporting equipment so young people can stay active at home, as well as providing additional practical and emotional support to those who need it.
As part of our 'One Million Hours' To Help campaign, we are also looking forward to working with StreetGames to identify opportunities where BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK colleagues can volunteer within their local communities, as soon as it is safe to do so.
With the coronavirus pandemic leading to a rise in youth unemployment and restricting access to vital educational tools, businesses now need to rally behind charities like StreetGames and support them in their mission to help level the playing field for disadvantaged young people.