Showcase the power of effective employee volunteering through organizing sports clinics for children with Magic Bus
IndiaCSR News Network
NEW DELHI: This summer, beat the heat by getting out there in the playing field, say employees of British Airways and BT! What more? They sweat it out to inspire positive social change by playing and teaching their favourite sports.
Demonstrating a successful example of the partnership between private and social sectors, British Airways and BT collaborated to celebrate ‘Give and Gain Day’ with Magic Bus, a non-profit organisation that works towards breaking the poverty cycle using innovative mentoring approaches and a sports and activity based curriculum.
As part of this unique initiative, employees from both the organisations participated in fun-filled activities teaching Cricket, Football and Rugby skills to over 100 Magic Bus children in the National Capital Region (NCR) today. ‘Give and Gain Day’ is a symbol of British Airways-BT and Magic Bus endeavoring to transform lives at a local level, on a global scale.
This is the first time that two large corporations have come together to strengthen their commitment to the society by encouraging their employees to engage in volunteering as a means to serve their own community.
‘Give and Gain Day’ forms a part of British Airways’ Community and Conservation Programme under which Magic Bus has been a partner for three years.
Commenting on the initiative, Moran Birger, Regional Commercial Manager, British Airways, South Asia, said, “British Airways’ corporate responsibility programme aims to engage with the communities in which we operate and put something meaningful back into the communities in which we live and work. We are delighted to collaborate with BT and Magic Bus and aim to contribute in empowering these children to build a brighter future for themselves.
“We have been a strong supporter of Magic Bus and their award-winning model that has positively impacted millions of lives not just in India but globally. This collaboration is a true testament of private and social sectors working together to bring positive social change and there couldn’t have been a more befitting partner for us than Magic Bus”
Sudhir Narang, Managing Director, BT in India, said: “We are proud to collaborate with British Airways and Magic Bus for Give and Gain initiative in India. At BT, we strongly encourage our employees to volunteer as we recognize that people who volunteer can make a real difference to their community”
Looking forward to this collaboration, Dr. Sujeet Ranjan, Chief Operating Officer, Magic Bus India Foundation added “We are grateful to British Airways and BT for supporting in our mission of breaking the poverty cycle, one child at a time. It’s inspiring to see volunteers from these two companies spending this day with our children”
Furthermore, he said “The interactive sports and activities that took place today are a part of Magic Bus’ curriculum that focuses on instilling life skills in children. Our aim is to ensure that we create a new generation of economically independent citizens who are fully equipped to participate in, contribute to, and even shape, tomorrow’s India. With help from large organisations such as British Airways we are reaching closer to our goal each day”
Acknowledging Magic Bus unique ‘Sport for Development’ model, British Airways offers regular support to Magic Bus by creating volunteer opportunities for its colleagues and offering additional support through the Volunteer Programme. In order to further strengthen the relationship, in 2014, British Airways provided a Financial Bursary of £20,000 to support a new educational programme through which Magic Bus could help nurture children from various Indian slums.
Business in the Community’s Give & Gain Day is a global celebration of the incredible power of employee volunteering. Since 2008, over 110,000 people in 35 countries around the world have taken part in Give & Gain Day. In 2014, Give & Gain Day activity took place across 32 countries where volunteers supported approximately 860 community organisations across the globe.
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