In these challenging times, we are really proud of some of the work our partners are doing to help in the country’s fight against COVID-19.
In a fantastic example of this, one of our headline sponsors, foodservice wholesaler Bidfood, has joined forces with Brakes to support a new government initiative to ensure that vital food supplies reach the country’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis.
Starting this week, the initiative will see the two companies working together to deliver potentially hundreds of thousands of weekly care packages across the country to people at high risk from the virus who are not able to get easy access to food at this challenging time.
In a joint statement from Andrew Selley and Hugo Mahoney, CEOs of Bidfood and Brakes, the companies confirmed their involvement: “During this national crisis, Bidfood and Brakes, the UK’s largest wholesalers, have joined forces to deliver weekly food and essential supply boxes to many of the 1.5m extremely vulnerable people in isolation.
“Moving at record pace, we have worked with government departments to create a service capable of reaching every corner of England, through our national depot networks. Our security-checked, professional delivery drivers are hugely motivated and proud to be playing their part in serving their local communities in this fantastic endeavour.”
The food box delivery scheme for the extremely vulnerable has now also been rolled out by governments in Wales and Scotland. Those in high risk groups in Scotland and Wales are able to register for the deliveries through their local authority.
The government’s directive to temporarily close many foodservice outlets like pubs and restaurants means that both businesses are able to redirect some of their experienced teams to delivering care boxes across the country. Initial deliveries have already begun over the weekend.
The parcels, which will be delivered to the doorstep, will contain more than 20 essentials including pasta, cereal, tea bags, fresh and tinned fruit, milk, bread and biscuits, as well as non-food items like toilet rolls and shower gel.
Some 900,000 extremely vulnerable people have now received letters from the NHS giving them guidance on how to shield from coronavirus. In total up to 1.5m will be asked to be shielded in this way. Others who did not receive letters but think they are part of this clinically vulnerable group should contact their GP.
A bespoke design by acclaimed international fashion designer Jayne Pierson, the use of a super yacht for three days and a box at the Royal Albert Hall are just some of the prizes that will be available at the National Children of Wales Awards thanks to the generosity of the business community.
The National Children of Wales Awards will take place at the Celtic Manor on April 3, 2020. The organisers aim to raise £100,000 at the event, which will be distributed to four charities in Wales that help children: The Teenage Cancer Trust, Dreams & Wishes, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and the Bluestone Foundation.
The event has already attracted remarkable support from the business community with all award categories now sponsored for the evening – though opportunities remain for businesses to get involved by supporting other aspects of the event.
The event’s two main sponsors are The Trade Centre Wales, one of the largest and fastest growing used car companies in the UK, and Bidfood, one of the largest food wholesalers in the UK.
The category sponsors are: 1192 Laser & Beauty Clinic, Andrew Rees & Sons Butchers, Barclays, Bibendum Wine, DWJ Group, DWJ Wealth Management, Gower College Swansea, Iceland Foods, Joe’s Ice Cream, MGY, Mitre Linen, Princes Gate, Principality Building Society, RedKite Solicitors, Sytner BMW and Thomas Recruitment Group.
But the event hopes to add even more extraordinary auction prizes to the roster – giving it every chance of exceeding its £100,000 target for the evening.
Blanche Sainsbury, chair of the Bluestone National Park Resort and founder of the National Children of Wales Awards, said:
“Companies from across Wales have demonstarted remarkable generosity in their support for the inaugural National Children of Wales Awards through both backing the event as sponsors and by offering some extraordinary auction prizes. We have been blown away by the support for this event so far and we are delighted to still be speaking to a number of businesses and individuals about additional prices and sponsorship opportunities.”
Some 15 children will be recognised at the awards. The categories focus on diversity, bravery, sporting achievements, and will recognise children who help others through championing causes, caring and fundraising.
The prestigious event will feature male voice choir Only Men Aloud, the winners of BBC talent show Last Choir Standing; Angelicus Celtis, a choir of Welsh schoolgirls who reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2017; and the event will also feature performances from Motionhouse, a world-class dance-circus production company.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the awards, buying a table or donating an auction prize, please contact Mark Hillary at: mhillary@bluestonewales.com
Corporate social responsibility is becoming an increasingly vital concept for companies to adopt. Read on to discover how our two Headline Sponsors, The Trade Centre Wales and Bidfood, embrace their corporate social responsibility.
Corporate social responsibility is crucial for any business. It’s a way for companies to hold themselves socially accountable, whether that’s through partnering with a charity or sending employees to help at a volunteer litter-pick.
Participating in community orientated and environmentally focused events demonstrates that the business is trying to be as responsible as possible. Not only are these events excellent for the company’s image, they will also reassure the community that the company is doing its best for people and for the planet, as well as focusing on profit.
The Trade Centre Wales, one of the Headline Sponsors for the inaugural National Children of Wales, is no stranger to corporate social responsibility. The Trade Centre Group is actively involved with community initiatives, as well as fundraising. The company works with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), helping to raise thousands of pounds towards providing vital support to children in desperate need of it. Trade Centre Group also frequently engages members of staff in volunteer roles for local charity drives. Every Trade Centre Group showroom has its own Charity Committee, charged with organising or sourcing charitable events for the company to get involved in.
The company also engages with the community by supporting various local grassroots sports teams and clubs.
Sponsoring the National Children of Wales Awards is another element of its corporate social responsibility drive. Explaining the reasons behind it, Mark Bailey, Chairman, Trade Centre Group, said:
“When we heard about the amazing work made possible because of the National Children of Wales Awards, we wanted to get involved and do our bit to help make a difference.
“The causes that will benefit from these awards are very close to our hearts, and everyone here is honoured to help raise awareness of the National Children of Wales Awards and the causes it supports.”
The second Headline Sponsor for the National Children of Wales Awards, Bidfood, also takes corporate social responsibility seriously.
When Bidfood heard about the National Children of Wales Awards, they saw a great opportunity to give something back to the community. They also recognised that this is the first National Children of Wales Awards, and saw an opportunity to support a fantastic cause for years to come.
Nick Sullivan, Head of Freetrade Sales, said:
“When Blanche Sainsbury, founder of the National Children of Wales Awards, mentioned the Awards to us, we jumped at the opportunity. As a company, we are passionate about giving back to the community, and this is a fantastic way to do so.
“We are so excited about being a Headline Sponsor for the Awards, and we hope that we can continue to support the event over the upcoming years.”
Bidfood’s company motto is “Care, Share, and Dare”. Simply put, they encourage employees to care about what they do, work together to make great things happen, and take brave steps to deliver extraordinary results. When presented with the opportunity to be a Headline Sponsor of the National Children of Wales Awards, Bidfood saw their “Care, Share, and Dare” policy come to life. Their company values, which are nurtured under this policy, go hand in hand with the NCWAs, and they couldn’t wait to get involved.
They’re also the driving force behind plate2planet, a leading online initiative dedicated to creating positive change for sustainability in foodservice.
Plate2planet acts as a central hub, bringing organisations together to share best practice and to help take the industry’s sustainability agenda forward.
Bidfood also signed up to the WRAP Courtauld Commitment 2025, which aims to reduce the resources needed to provide food and drink in the UK by 20% in 10 years, and they are part of the Planet Mark sustainability certification programme, which requires evidence of measurable reductions in our carbon footprint.
Bidfood supports more than 260 local and national charities, as well as local community projects, through fundraising and volunteering opportunities, particularly in relation to food poverty and holiday hunger schemes.
The National Children of Wales Awards are so pleased to have such charitable, socially aware companies as Headline Sponsors. We are thrilled that the Trade Centre Wales and Bidfood want to be involved with the Awards, and we are so excited to see what these partnerships will bring.
We are delighted to announce Bidfood as one of the two overall sponsors for the National Children of Wales Awards.
For over 20 years, Bidfood have been a leading wholesaler, supplying customers across the UK with fresh, frozen, ambient food, beers, wines, spirits, catering essentials and catering equipment.
With a depot network of over 24 sites spanning the country, Bidfood provides a truly local presence in terms of service, products, employment, and community engagement. To distinguish themselves from other competitors, they provide a multi-temperature supply chain so customers can receive frozen, ambient, and chilled products in the same delivery.
On its involvement with the National Children of Wales Awards, Nick Sullivan, Head of Freetrade Sales, said:
“Everyone here at Bidfood Wales is extremely proud to be sponsoring this year’s National Children of Wales Awards, which celebrates the inspirational achievements of remarkable young people across Wales.
“We are honoured to be part of a project that shines a light on tremendously brave children and young people who regularly face hardships and challenges in everyday life. Community engagement is extremely important to Bidfood as a business, which is why we make it part of our mission to regularly support our local communities across Wales.”
Blanche Sainsbury, the founder of the National Children of Wales Awards, added:
“We’re thrilled that Bidfood is the overall sponsor for the National Children of Wales Awards. The company really works hard to give something back to the communities of Wales. Their decision to sponsor these awards reflects that commitment and will help make an extraordinary and inspirational event a reality. Without the backing of businesses like Bidfood, awards such as this would not be possible.”