Allianz raises half a million pounds for charity partner Mind

Allianz Insurance has hit the £500,000 fundraising mark for leading mental health charity Mind, just 18 months since the partnership began. Employees have taken on a range of fundraising activities this year, despite the challenges of the lockdown due to Covid-19. Activities have included the Stronger Together campaign where colleagues covered a distance of 140,785km from May to June to raise £30,000. Allianz director of broker markets, Nick Hobbs recently took on the challenge of a sponsored 24 hour kayak. He travelled 152 KM along the River Thames raising £2230 in donations, which Allianz then matched to bring the total to £4460 More than 1000 employees recently raised funds and boosted their own wellbeing by taking part in a virtual exercise class, hosted by world leading health and wellbeing coach, Mr Motivator. Allianz also hosted a ‘Donate Your Commute’ day, where employees raised over £1000 for Mind by donating some or all of the money they had saved on travel that day by working from home. Mind’s work is needed more than ever and the money raised by the employees at Allianz will help support those in need through services such as Mind’s Infoline which provides confidential information and advice, and the online peer-support group Elefriends. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “We are so grateful to Allianz for raising an incredible £500,000. Their support is helping us to be there for everyone affected by a mental health problem. “The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the nation’s mental health, especially for those of us with existing mental health problems, and it is vital that everyone has access to the right support, advice and information when they need it. The funding from this partnership with Allianz will enable us to continue to offer crucial support services so that no one has to face their mental health problem alone, particularly during these unbelievably difficult times.” Carolyn Rich, head of brand marketing and social responsibility, Allianz Insurance, said: “I’m delighted that we are now halfway towards our £1m target for Mind. The enthusiasm and dedication of our employees to continue their fundraising efforts throughout these challenging times has been really incredible. “Our charity partnership with Mind is so important to Allianz as it supports our strategy to strengthen resilience and expand on the existing mental wellbeing support we have in place for our people. I’m really looking forward to all exciting fundraising activities we have in the pipeline to help us reach £1m.”