A year ago, AXA Insurance employees voted to enter a three-year partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK.
With £111,000 raised in the first 12 months, it looks set to be a very fruitful partnership indeed. What a year it’s been. I’ve been amazed at the number of ways AXA employees have come up with to raise money for ground-breaking dementia research. Countless people have completed sponsored walks, runs, skydives and even dry stone walling. Who knew that sponsored walling was even a thing?! They’ve baked, sold and eaten mountains of cakes and other goodies. We’ve seen (eco-friendly) balloon releases and we’ve worn purple regularly to show our support for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this effort reflects the strength of feeling our people have for this vitally important cause. During our vote, we heard many moving stories of employees’ personal experiences, from friends and relatives with dementia to those currently caring for loved ones living with this cruel condition.
I believe passionately in the value of a common cause that brings employees together. You need the right cause for your people though. In our case, Alzheimer’s Research UK is exactly that – bringing our people together and engaging them more closely with not only what we’re trying to achieve for charity, but also what we’re trying to achieve as a business.
Corporate responsibility sits at the core of who we are and this partnership is just one example of how AXA cares.