Chocolate for heroes

Cadbury World has helped to give charities a much needed boost, by raising £48,267 in 2015.

The popular attraction, based in Bournville, has a longstanding commitment to supporting charity projects on a regional and national level, with 100% of staff taking part in fundraising or community activities. From a static cycle event in the exhibition area raising £2,682 for the Paralympic Association, to taking part in The Big Hoot in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the entire team has a role in choosing the causes to support throughout the year.

One of the main beneficiaries in 2015 was Help for Heroes, a UK military charity providing practical and direct support to wounded, injured and sick service men and women. Over the year, a giant charity chocolate Easter egg, a 1940s event at the Cadbury Club, and even a staff skydive has helped Cadbury World to raise over £8,000 for the charity. Led by Michelle Darragh, community champion at Cadbury World, the fundraising resulted in Michelle receiving a special Hero award from Help for Heroes in recognition of her support.

Other highlights throughout the year include giant chocolate Easter eggs created for, and auctioned off by The Teenage Cancer Trust and Blind Children UK, as well as raising over £6,000 for the Sea Cadets and over £4,000 for St Hilda’s Scouts, in addition to helping to paint their scout hut. Through raffles and a grant from the Cadbury Foundation, Cadbury World has also helped to raise over £5,000 for the Special Needs Adventure Playground (SNAP).

Gerrard Baldwin, general manager at Cadbury World, said: “Community is at the heart of the Cadbury values, so we are delighted to have raised such an impressive amount for a variety of different causes. It really is a whole team effort, and we look forward to supporting a number of other projects and charities in 2016.”

Michelle Darragh, community champion at Cadbury World, added: “I am incredibly proud to lead our team of fundraisers and volunteers, who all help to support some fantastic projects alongside their day jobs. It’s amazing to see the final figure at the end of each year, and I can’t wait to get started on our charity and community activity for 2016.”

Cadbury World will be kick-starting its charity campaign for 2016 with the creation of three giant Easter eggs, which the attraction will be donating to Acorns Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Help for Heroes.