How to make your event a charity affair

As our world continues to spiral out of control it is surely more important than ever that business is used as a force of good.

One client in particular, WIT Software is doing just that.

Back in September I had the opportunity to give a keynote at their conference in Figueira, Portugal.

And during their awards dinner they launched a challenge. 400 employees and their families were asked to clock up 100,000 kms either running, walking or swimming. And if they succeeded WIT would donate 20 bikes to my not for profit Lighting Up Lives  so that the children of Abene in Senegal could get to school more quickly without having to walk 4 hours a day under the hot African sun.

Just over a month after launching the challenge the target was reached and last week I had the honour of distributing the bikes to some of the most socially disadvantaged children that I have ever met.

We all know the devastating effects that war is currently having in our troubled world. But unfortunately in the midst of that many of the worlds children who are most in need are forgotten.

I made sure that some of the bikes landed in the hands of impoverished orphans. The sheer gratitude and joy expressed by these kids when they received their bikes was palpable. Whats more is that they have a renewed sense of hope and new found motivation to study.

Back at WIT this innovative project is keeping the teams fit and healthy. It has also created a sense of belonging and community within the company, and has ensured that engagement and collaboration lives on beyond my keynote.

If you’d like to replicate this initiative for your teams or event I would be honoured to make it happen!