Exeter-based EMCAS Targets £10,000 For Charity

Exeter-based EMCAS, one of the country's leading financial Claims Management Companies, is aiming to raise over £10,000 for charity in twelve months.  The business, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in August, has been raising money since the start of the financial year and, following its Back to School fundraiser last week, has already collected in excess of £3,100.

Over 400 members of staff across its Exeter, Taunton, Paignton and Torquay offices dressed up in school uniform for the day to raise funds.  Contributions were made through a mix of raffles, on-site school Tuck Shops, and charges for parking in the staff car parks, which were transformed into playgrounds for the day.  Staff participated in a range of activities and old school games helping to raise over £1,300.  All monies collected will be presented to one of four charities supported by EMCAS.

The Back to School event follows on from a number of other fundraising activities that have been personally spearheaded by the business’ Chief Executive Officer, Craig Bernhardt.  Earlier this year Craig helped to raise over £1,800 by completing four gruelling challenges in four weeks, including two triathlons, a 5k fun run through Exeter, and a 210 mile cycle, during which he visited hospices and met the parents of children being supported by South West Children’s Hospice, EMCAS’ prime charity.

Among the other charities supported by EMCAS are Help for Heroes, Grief Encounter and Anthony Nolan, which it supports through an awareness campaign among staff who may be interested in becoming bone marrow donors for the charity.  Staff are also encouraged to support charities of their own choice through payroll giving, which enables tax free gifts to worthy causes.

Commenting on its efforts Craig Bernhardt, CEO of EMCAS, said: “The charities that we support are all connected to us in various ways, and are very dear to our hearts. 

“Our prime charity, South West Children’s Hospice, enables us to directly help children and families affected by life limiting conditions.  Help for Heroes is a national charity with strong roots in our region due to the number of servicemen and women who work at the many bases and barracks in the South West.  Grief Encounter, which was put forward by one of our staff, helps children deal with the mental trauma of bereavement.

“Each charity represents great courage, whether that be children and parents coping with tragic news, or soldiers returning from conflict zones injured or affected by their experiences.  Their courage is admirable and breath-taking, and that is inspiring our staff to throw themselves into a series of events and fundraising activities that will help us reach our big goal of raising £10,000 for charity in our tenth year.”

EMCAS specialises in helping people reclaim what is rightfully theirs when they have been mis-sold a financial product including endowment mortgages, saving and investments, pension products, packaged current accounts, irresponsible lending and payment protection insurance.  To date it has helped over 530,000 customers reclaim more than £400 million in compensation and is spearheading a series of campaigns to not only raise awareness among consumers of their rights, but to bring pressure on the financial institutions to clean up their acts and pay back consumers what is rightfully theirs.

Consumers wishing to pursue a claim can find out more by visiting www.emcasclaims.co.uk For claims call 0800 093 4309.