DJS Research wins Thomas Challenge for exceeding fundraising goals

10th March 2020 15:39

We're proud to announce that we've been presented with a very special award by The Thomas Theyer Foundation, for successfully completing the charity's ‘Thomas Challenge’.

The Thomas Challenge tasks supporters to raise £1000 in a year or under, a challenge we comfortably achieved - raising more than £3597 since we adopted the Foundation as our Charity of the Year at the end of 2018.

Based in nearby Buxton, The Thomas Theyer Foundation was set up by Chris and Alan Theyer after the death of their son Thomas, just over a month after his 18th birthday. The charity continues to support children and young people with additional needs or living in difficult life circumstances by giving them the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from outdoor activity breaks.

“Working with DJS has been fantastic.,” said Chris after presenting the award alongside Fundraising Manager, Sharon Stanley at our Strines office.

“When we first visited DJS Research in September 2018 and met Danny Sims, Alex Noden and the rest of the DJS team we immediately felt there was great synergy. Lots of the team were up for ‘getting up and out’ and raising money through active challenges. Over the last two years we have seen this come to fruition. The fundraising activity – both outdoors and indoors (but mainly outdoors) has been inspirational and the Thomas Challenge, to raise over £1,000.00 in twelve months seemed to have been achieved in weeks rather than months. Over £3597 has been raised to date.

Throughout our time supporting the charity staff have taken part in sponsored walks and challenges including the Yorkshire Three Peaks and The Gritstone Trail as well as office-based events like Bring Your Dog to Work Day and Christmas Jumper Day. We also challenged staff to 'Get Up and Go!' in January an initiative to promote employee wellbeing and raise some additional funds.

As well as fundraising, DJS staff have also helped the charity in other ways such as marshalling events and helping design promotional material. We're even planning to jump out of a plane later in the year - an event organised by the charity's Fundraising and Events Manager, Sharon Stanley.

"As a small charity we want to engage with businesses who recognise the value of what we do," said Chris. "Our main aim is to help children and young people, with additional needs or difficult life circumstances, feel good about themselves and have fun with others. We believe that getting outdoors is the most beneficial way to help improve both physical and mental wellbeing

"The team have been just fantastic at helping us in many ways, "including [DJS Head of Creative Services] Steph Skupien who has designed banners, posters and flyers for our events.

"Thank-you DJS for all you have done and continue to do for TTF, we are truly grateful and love working with you. Here’s to the Skydive in October 2020.”

DJS Research Managing Director, Danny Sims, said of the award:

"We're thrilled to have been presented with the Thomas Challenge trophy and proud to be sponsors of such a great local charity doing wonderful work in the local community. Big thanks must go out to our brilliant reserachers, operations staff and creative team who always show great enthusiasm for the events and challenges we suggest and want to get involved. This recognition is absolutely down to them."

Read more about the Thomas Theyer Foundation