DIY Big Build and Charity Partnership

Exciting news for YMCA Exeter! Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of becoming Charity of the Year for Bishop Fleming Chartered Accountants, Exeter, which means that over the course of a year we will work with Bishop Fleming as they host several fundraising events for YMCA Exeter.

We got off to a great start by hosting a DIY Big Build event. We ran the event over two days, inviting another accountancy firm in Exeter, PKF Francis Clark, to join us in the activities. The event was held at our Breakwater Place property in Plymouth, where there is plenty to be done transforming rooms to get them ready for residents (with a 47-bed capacity). Over the two days, each team worked hard making their way through the flats and assembling flat pack furniture. We even added a competitive element to the event, handing out a ‘DIY Hero’ award to the most improved flat-pack builder for each day!

We had great feedback from the event, and everyone seemed to really enjoy their time and felt that they were doing meaningful work. Vicky Lamerton, from PKF Francis Clark commented that ‘everyone appreciated the chance to step away from their desks for the day! The day felt well planned, engaging and rewarding,’ with Jessica Curtis from Bishop Fleming adding ‘It was a really rewarding morning and great to see how our time could make a difference.’

Following this volunteering event, a team from the Bishop Fleming Exeter Office (along with some keen walkers from our YMCA Exeter staff team) took part in a charity Abbots Way walk, a 23-mile trail across Dartmoor, starting from Buckland Abbey and finishing at Tavistock Abbey. The walkers raised an incredible £1,617!

The fundraising didn’t stop there – as a further event hosted by Bishop Fleming at Winslade Park took place, with an evening of pizza, a raffle and a scavenger hunt! Local businesses were invited to participate in the Scavenger hunt where they searched around Winslade Park for clues. We were pleased to be able to attend to share with the attendees about all the work we are doing and what their funds are helping to support. £550 was raised across the night.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to be ‘Charity of the Year’ and for businesses that recognise the importance of giving to charities in their local community. We look forward to reporting on more fundraising adventures as our year-long partnership progresses.