The VIPR team recently showed its support for a fun campaign called ‘Lads and Ladies Without Sport’, which is raising money for the NHS. Set up by our project manager Rhys Leader’s father Marc, the campaign first started as a Facebook group with amusing videos to keep Marc’s friends entertained during lockdown, however its popularity spiralled with over 2,000 members in just a few weeks of launching, so Marc decided to put its popularity to good use. He set up a Just Giving page to give back to NHS workers putting their lives on the line during the pandemic, with the goal to raise £10,000.
Launching on the 14th March, Marc started the Facebook group ‘Lads Without Sport’, posting clips which included ‘watching paint dry’ and ‘watching grass growing’. Enjoyed by more people than expected (Marc was hoping for about 20 friends), he expanded the group to create a second – ‘Ladies Without Sport’, and today the two pages have a combined membership of more than five and a half thousand.
It wasn’t until the Just Giving page went live and a challenge to down raw eggs was put on the groups by two of Marc’s four sons, Rhys and Callum, that donations started to flood in. Rhys said, “I did the challenge twice and can safely say that I will not be introducing raw eggs into my daily food plan, but I was pleased to help raise money for such a deserving cause.”
“All our group members are aware of the stress and bravery of our NHS workers in keeping us safe in the UK and around the world, and to be able to help the NHS fills me pride,” enthuses Marc. He continues “The donations from VIPR during these very difficult times have made me extremely emotional. A ‘thank you’ is just not a strong enough statement to show my appreciation. The money has really boosted my target goal of £10,000 which I know will be difficult to achieve, but hope my humorous clips, plus the new You Tube channel and Twitter account will raise further awareness to reach our goal.”
Paul Templar, our CEO comments “We were delighted to help such a cause and contribute to the efforts of Marc and his family. The Facebook groups really do put a smile on your face during such an anxious time and this is a great way to support the NHS. We are fully behind ‘Lads and Ladies Without Sport’ and will help spread the word.”
To donate, visit the Just Giving site here.
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