YMCA was founded in 1874 by the inspiration of George Williams, who people saw as God, saw them and wanted to make a difference in their lives. Although there have been many changes over the years, YMCA Bournemouth today continues to help people develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit.
Working in partnership and developing relationships is key to their success nationally and locally, and we all know that relationships, personal and business, start from what we see as small beginnings.
In 2014 Ace Office Environments Ltd, made their first donation of surplus branded clothes to be used in the YMCA Bournemouth Hostel on Westover Road. Not long afterwards they sponsored the YMCA Marketing Manager who was doing a sponsored silence for a day. They thought their money was safe as she couldn’t keep quiet for 5 minutes, let alone a whole day…but she did it!
In 2018, at the beginning of the YMCA Sleep Easy Events, (Events that encourage local Schools to sleep out under the stars in shelters self-made from supplied cardboard boxes) a place to store the numerous cardboard boxes was required, which logistically had to be close to the Castlepoint area. ACE stepped forward to kindly store a small quantity of boxes collected for the few schools who took part. This led to Adrian Carter, ACE MD, and his son taking part in the BIG Sleep Easy for Businesses in 2019, along with 25 other local businesses.
During the covid period, where the stored boxes were left stored at ACE, it was ACE who agreed in April 2021 to sponsor 50 running vests for the YMCA Bournemouth team for the Virtual Virgin London Marathon. Even exporting overseas to Australia as it was a globally supported event.
The rest is history and Adrian has amazingly re arranged his storage facilities at ACE to accommodate these much-needed boxes for the YMCAB Fundraising Events. Always “we’ll find a way” was the response from Adrian.
This year from January – March over 1500 boxes have been stored…collected…and taken to six Schools with Adrian’s staff wrapping them ready for ease of distribution. Their continuous and exceptional support has enabled YMCAB to raise over £51,000 from these School based events since October 2021.
An invaluable relationship between business and charity, ultimately helping local individuals to be safe….to grow…..and to fulfil their potential in our communities.
“I’m really keen to focus on those things where our (small) actions help others to have BIG Impacts and storing YMCAB boxes for these various Sleep-Easy Events, fits the bill perfectly!”
Adrian Carter (Managing Director @ Ace Office Environments Ltd)
PHOTO (left to right):
Sheena Dayman (YMCA), Adrian Carter (ACE) and Heather Carter (ACE)