Local businesses in Preston are being asked to team up for a football tournament the ‘Orphanage Cup’ to help raise funds for Child Action North West.
AdvertisementThe football tournament – which began as the Royal Infirmary Cup in the 1930s – raises funds for the charity CANW, which was previously Blackburn Orphanage.
Workplace teams have previously been from within the East Lancashire district but the Orphanage Cup has now been expanded to include businesses from districts around the North, Central and South regions in the county.
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Sue Cotton, CEO of CANW, wants to open up the competition to the wider county after years of being solely Blackburn-based.
She said: “The cup first started when there was no health service, but once the funding became available to create the NHS, the fundraising continued and was given to us as Blackburn Orphanage.
“We’ve talked about whether we should change the name but we’re proud of our heritage.
“It gives businesses from across the county the chance to boost morale in the workplace, get more people fit and healthy and encourage teamwork for a good cause.”
The competition has gone on to raise thousands of pounds for CANW to support the most vulnerable children and young people in Lancashire.
The current Orphanage Cup holders are Accrington-based The Senator Group, the UK’s largest manufacturer of office furniture, who’ve won the tournament for the past two years.
The charity has supported more than 6,000 children, young people and families every year, working at the heart of communities helping children and young people lead healthy and meaningful lives with the opportunity to succeed in school, enjoy healthy relationships, have access to training and employment opportunities and be successful in the world of work.
Paul Egan from The Senator Group said: “The Orphanage Cup is brilliant for increasing staff morale and serves as an excellent teambuilding exercise. To be able to support CANW’s amazing work at the same time makes it even more worthwhile.
“We’ve entered a team since the 80s and to win it three times in the last four years has been a fantastic experience. I’d encourage any business or organisation considering taking part to go for it.”
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Deborah Blades, CANW Grants and Partnership Lead, said: “The Orphanage Cup offers businesses a fantastic teambuilding opportunity, and it’s a brilliant way to engage with colleagues outside of work in a fun and competitive environment.
“Businesses are also increasingly searching for a way in which they can directly support good causes within the communities most local to them – the Orphanage Cup gives local businesses the chance to score in both of these areas.”
To find out more about taking part in the Orphanage Cup, contact Deborah at CANW on 01254 244700 (option 6) or email dblades@canw.org.uk
Registration is now open and closes on Friday 28th February. To register a team for the event, please click here. Registration costs £100 per team, with proceeds going straight to CANW.
Will you be entering team?Let us know in the comments section.