Zen staff choose local children’s home as charity for 2018/19 after raising thousands for Bury Hospice

Zen Internet raised £14,000 for Bury Hospice

Zen chairman Richard Tang presented a cheque for £14,000 to Bury Hospice, the company’s chosen charity for 2017/18, earlier this month - and named Rochdale Children's Moorland Home as its chosen charity for the upcoming year.

The cash was the result of a year-long calendar of events, with Zen staff enjoying (or enduring) a 135 mile rickshaw challenge, the Gauntlet Games and a sponsored three-peaks hike, among many other money raising events.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/118649/-zen-supports-bury-hospice-with-135-mile-rickshaw-challenge

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/122182/zen-employees-take-part-in-gauntlet-games

Karen Finnegan, Zen’s social and charity chairman, said: “We were delighted to be able to hand over £14,000 to Bury Hospice, and thanks again to our wonderful staff for all their hard work in 2017/18.

Paul Fennelly, head of fundraising for Bury Hospice, thanked the team for their efforts: “We are so grateful to everyone at Zen. We are so proud of them, they have set themselves a huge target to raise for Bury Hospice this year and their mad challenges will undoubtedly increase their fundraising towards their target. A great big thank you to everyone at Zen from all the staff, volunteers, patients and their families at Bury Hospice, well done.”

And with the ink barely dry on the cheque, Zen started planning its next 12 months of charity activities. The beneficiary of this year’s efforts, chosen by staff vote, will be Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home. This very worthy cause provides support, services and fun breaks to disadvantaged children - usually referred by social care, schools and police services.

Events already confirmed include Halloween and Christmas raffles, the ever-popular Zen Tug O' War, and a sponsored car wash. Among the more athletic challenges are a coast-to-coast cycle ride and a raft race. The diverse calendar also includes a Murder Mystery Night. Zen Fest and the intriguingly named Bed Time Day.

“It’s great that we have so much going on and so much variety,” said Karen. “We already have nearly 20 events planned throughout the year, and more might be added to that in the next few weeks. We don’t set strict financial goals but it would be wonderful to be able to hand over a cheque for £15,000 to Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home this time next year.”

If you want to donate to Zen's chosen charity, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/zeninternet-2018