An organisation that ensures no child goes without the essential items they need to live their day-to-day lives has been chosen by accountancy practice Gooding Accounts as its charity of the year.
Trowbridge-based Ruksak45218 provides essentials such as bedding, clothing, toiletries, footwear and school stationery to local families in need of extra support.
Gooding Accounts, which has offices in Westbury, Warminster and Melksham, raised more than £20,000 last year for its chosen charities Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Dorothy House Hospice Care, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice and mental health charity Wiltshire Mind.
This year staff decided to support one local good cause – and are already excited at the possibility of beating last year’s total.
Fundraising kicked off last week with a quiz night at Trowbridge Rugby Club and they have also set up a sponsored skydive – with the more adventurous staff members already putting their names down.
Gooding Accounts partner Sam Gooding, pictured, said staff made a number of suggestions for the firm’s charity of the year but RukSak45218 was the clear winner.
“Many of us have children ourselves and raising money for a charity that provides the essentials for those needing a little extra help, was an obvious choice,” she added
“We’ve got a number of fundraising events coming up during the year and it would be amazing to raise lots of funds for them.
“Alongside this charity, we’re also taking part in one-off events that raise money for other local charities. By handing over the money we’ve raised, they will be able to help and support more people in our communities – and that’s what it’s all about”.
RukSak45218 founder Rory Donaldson said: “We’re so grateful that Gooding Accounts has chosen us as their charity of the year.
“Many people are struggling to make ends meet and the stress this places on adults and children alike can be unbearable.
“At Ruksak45218 we aim to alleviate at least some of that by ensuring no child goes without the essential items they need to live their day-to-day lives.
“The money raised by Gooding Accounts will go towards helping these families and will make such a difference. We can’t wait to work with them during the year.”
As well as financial donations, Ruksak45218 also accepts donations of essential items that can go into its rucksacks, such as bedding, clothing, toiletries, footwear, school stationery, school uniforms, sleeping bags, hot water bottles, reading books, exam revision guides and washing detergents.
The charity provides these items for young people between the ages of five and 18 who live in Wiltshire. For more information visit www.ruksak45218.org.uk
Along with fundraising for RukSak45218, Gooding Accounts staff will also compete in an ‘It’s a Knockout’ charity event hosted by Wiltshire Air Ambulance in Melksham on 8 May.
A team of 10 will take on the obstacle course and other challenges to help raise funds the air ambulance. To support this event visit https://justgiving.com/fundraising/goodingaccounts
