The Openwork Foundation raised a total of £562,000 in 2018, through fundraising and community projects undertaken by Openwork staff and advisers.

The money raised has enabled the foundation to help 46 charities and support 7,400 vulnerable children and young adults.

Regular monthly donations from Openwork Partners, advisers and staff were a major source of funds contributing £223,000 during the year to the charity.

Fundraising activities included an overseas cycle challenge, with 27 participants from the adviser network cycling the 400km between Hanoi and Saigon, raising £100,000 for the foundation. Other major fundraising efforts included the London Marathon, Prudential RideLondon 100, and the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

The funds raised by The Openwork Foundation are distributed in the form of charitable grants to national, local and overseas projects nominated by advisers and staff. Since Openwork’s launch in 2005, the Foundation has raised more than £7.4 million.

‘Cares4Kids’ is the Foundation’s current theme, designed to support disadvantaged children in the UK and overseas, up to the age of 18 years.  Presently, the Foundation’s current national charity partner is my AFK, a charity which provides and maintains mobility equipment for children and young adults across the UK. The Openwork Foundation has committed to support my AFK’s important work with a £40,000 annual grant until December 2019.

Sam Tesch, Openwork Foundation manager, said: “Every year we are blown away by the support the Openwork advisers and staff give to the Foundation and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the past 12 months.  It’s great to see so many in the network coming together to take part in fundraising activities like the Vietnam cycle challenge.

“The money raised has and will continue to transform the lives of thousands of children and young adults across the world. We are looking forward to raising even more money this year with some exciting events lined up.  I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone for their continued support.”

Plans for 2019 at The Openwork Foundation include participating at a range of key national fundraising events such as the London Marathon and Prudential RideLondon 100, as well as organising several bespoke events, including:

• The Openwork Sleepout – 13^th September 2019
• 17^th year of Openwork’s Charity Evening at Lords – 10^th October 2019
• Cycle Challenge along the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape – 18^th-26^th October.