Charity

Russell Taylor Group Wears Yellow for Children in Need

November-2019

RUSSELL Taylor Group raised a total of £167 for Children In Need on the 15th November. Well done team, your donations will make a huge difference to children's lives!

Russell Taylor Group Wear It Pink for Breast Cancer Now

October-2019

RUSSELL Taylor Group raised a total of £121 for Wear It Pink for Breast Cancer Now on the 18th October, with the day taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Nothing's too tough for Russell Taylor Group's fundraiser Jennifer

September-2019

WHEN the going got tough, Russell Taylor Group’s Jennifer Scott was even more determined to keep going for a cause close to her heart.

Jennifer, the business’ HR, Quality and Facilities Manager, completed the gruelling Tough Mudder challenge – joined by her husband Iain - to raise vital funds for the ME Association.

Read the article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2019/09/nothings-too-tough-for-russell-taylor-groups-fundraiser-jennifer

Russell Taylor Group banks on youngsters learning about business

July-2019

A NEW community partnership by Russell Taylor Group is banking on young people learning about business from an early age.

The venture with Bishop Wilson CE Primary School in Burton Village will also help to prepare its pupils for the world of work.

Read the article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2019/07/russell-taylor-group-banks-on-youngsters-learning-about-business

Harry & Meghan visit to have "huge" impact on town's future

January-2019

BUSINESS leader Peter Russell is buzzing about the huge impact the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Birkenhead could have on the image of the town and its future.

Peter, chairman of Russell Taylor Group, was among guests invited to The Hive Youth Zone on the day Harry and Meghan went to see charities and organisations that support and empower local people and projects.

Read the article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2019/01/harry-and-meghan-visit-to-have-huge-impact-on-towns-future

Mentoring Partnership sets vulnerable youngsters on road to employment

November-2018

A PARTNERSHIP between Russell Taylor Group and a groundbreaking youth centre is setting vulnerable young people on the road to employment.

Career paths once considered out of reach are being built due to a mentoring project with The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead, helping youngsters to develop business and enterprise skills.

Read the article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2018/11/mentoring-partnership-sets-vulnerable-youngsters-on-road-to-employment

Two tough challenges by Ben boost Claire House Funds by more than £1000

October-2018

TWO tough challenges by recruitment consultant Ben Evans have boosted funds for Claire House children’s hospice by more than £1,000.

Read the article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2018/10/two-tough-challenges-by-ben-boost-claire-house-funds-by-more-than-1000-pounds

Tough but rewarding, says Ben after Windermere Swim Challenge

September-2018

TESTED to the limits of endurance, recruitment consultant Ben Evans has raised a huge amount for charity after swimming the full length of Lake Windermere.

Ben, based at Russell Taylor Group’s headquarters in Bromborough, tackled the gruelling Windermere One Way challenge and brought in more than £630 for Claire House children’s hospice, the company’s charity of the year.

Read the full article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2018/09/tough-but-rewarding-says-ben-after-windermere-swim-challenge

Swimmer Ben faces Windermere Challenge for Russell Taylor Group Charity

August-2018

Recruitment consultant Ben Evans is about to make a splash for charity as he prepares to swim the full length of Lake Windermere.

Read the full article here: https://www.russell-taylor.co.uk/blog/2018/08/swimmer-ben-faces-windermere-challenge-for-russell-taylor-group-charity

Team RTG to race the Chester Marathon

July-2018

A team from Russell Taylor Group is putting their running shoes on for the MBNA Chester Marathon. They have all volunteered to fundraise for Claire House Children's Hospice, the company's nominated charity for 2018.

The event will see Russell Taylor employees Rob Kurton, Lauren Adamson, Lewis Williams, Gregory Howard and Ben Evans tackle 26.2 miles on Sunday 7^th October.

The marathon route will take Team RTG run past all of Chester's iconic landmarks (Roman Walls, Cathedral, Medieval Rows,  Eastgate Clock, Amphitheatre) before heading out to the stunning Cheshire and North Wales countryside and villages; returning alongside the River Dee for a unforgettable finish at the Racecourse.

Russell Taylor’s Managing Director, Rob Kurton, said: “I am extremely proud that once again staff have volunteered to face this incredibly hard challenge to raise money for Claire House, and somehow, I’ve managed to be roped in again! Judging by the training so far, it’s an endurance test like no other and I know we’ll all have to put every ounce of commitment and enthusiasm into it.”

The aim for the Marathon is to raise a total of £1,800, but as a group of over-achievers, Team RTG would love to see the pot overflowing! If you wish to support us in our fundraising mission for Claire House, please visit our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/russell-taylor26

Claire House Children's Hospice is based on the Wirral and helps seriously and terminally ill children enjoy life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life. To find out more about the brilliant work they are doing on the Wirral and at their new site in Liverpool, please take the time to visit their website at https://www.clairehouse.org.uk

Tom aims for Strictly glitter ball glory in charity fundraiser

April-2018

Tom Owens will be dancing his socks off this weekend in a bid to bring glitter ball glory to Russell Taylor. Tom, recruitment team leader in Russell Taylor Group’s Site Projects Division at the Bromborough headquarters, is taking part in Claire House Does Strictly to raise money for the children’s hospice that’s the company’s charity of the year. He’s been in training for the past few weeks before he hits the dance floor at the fundraiser being held on Saturday, April 7 at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel.

Tom and his professional partner will be dancing the jive as well as doing a group dance with nine other competing couples. The venture is stepping into something relatively new for Tom who said: “I have done a few salsa classes before - but that was many years ago.

“I’ve been training at a dance centre in Sale, Manchester, where my professional partner Natalie is teaching me the jive for our routine. I have to admit my progress has been a bit slow. Natalie is an excellent dancer and coach but I have two left feet and my size elevens are not the most co-ordinated. She’s taken on a really big challenge but has been working wonders by pushing me so hard to make sure I win the trophy on the night.”

Tom’s topping up his dance coaching with practising at home in the kitchen. He added: “It’s hard fitting it all in between looking after my young daughter and getting some sleep after a hard day at work. I’m looking forward to the competition but I’m very scared and nervous about performing in front of the judges and the crowds of people who’ll be there. But I’m excited too about seeing about how all the contestants have progressed with their dancing since we first took up the challenge - and I’m confident I can bring home the prize to Russell Taylor and also raise lots of money for a deserving charity that’s close to our hearts.”

And Tom’s costume on the night? He said: “This is something that’s been kept tightly under wraps. However, I’ve been told it will involve a plunging neckline and glitter - which sounds like something I would usually wear on a night out anyway!”

Russell Taylor answers crisis call to help the homeless

November-2017

Russell Taylor Holdings has once again answered a crisis call to help vulnerable people living on the streets this winter. The entire workforce from the business’ headquarters in Bromborough, Wirral, has filled a total of 70 rucksacks full of essential items such food, energy bars, toiletries and warm clothing to help bring comfort to the homeless.

Joining Russell Taylor Group in the campaign are staff from Russell Taylor Holdings’ other companies of Recruit Right and NMS Recruitment. The filled bags will be handed over to Wirral YMCA and the Charles Thompson Mission in Birkenhead, which supports the poorest in the local community, as part of the annual Rucksack Challenge organised by Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

Russell Taylor Holdings chief executive Ben Russell, a patron of Wirral Chamber, said: “The hardship of living rough on the streets is something incredibly hard for most of us to even imagine. But the problem is real and close to home. Last year, YMCA Wirral provided almost 3,000 bed nights to people in crisis so the least we could do was rise to the challenge and take part in this year's initiative to help those in need. This is our second year of supporting Wirral Chamber in its annual campaign to help people living in unimaginable circumstances. It’s also a way of encouraging our employees to understand the importance of playing their part in supporting the local community.”

Paula Basnett, chief executive at Wirral Chamber of Commerce, added: “This has been a fantastic, generous and very kind donation by Russell Taylor Holdings in giving us so many very important items which will be welcomed by both YMCA Wirral and the Charles Thompson Mission.As we move into the colder winter weather, the Rucksack Challenge will play a key role in helping the homeless and we are very proud that Russell Taylor, a key patron member of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, has played such a vital part in supporting the initiative.”

Russell Taylor team helps young people on to jobs ladder

October-2017

Getting a foot on the jobs ladder took a step in the right direction for a group of young people, thanks to staff from Russell Taylor Group. As part of the employability skills courses at The Hive Youth Zone, Russell Taylor, founder patrons of the new £6m youth centre in Birkenhead, gave young members invaluable help at a special Get a Job day.

Six members of the team from the company’s headquarters at Bromborough - Tom Owens, Ben George, Scott Meikle, Rebecca Roberts, Georgie Betts and Dean Hawkins - held mock interviews to give young people confidence to prepare them for the “real thing” when going for jobs.

Ben Russell, managing director of Russell Taylor Holdings, said: “As patrons of The Hive, we want to do all we can to equip young people with the right skills to make them ready for any job interviews they may have in the near future. As recruitment experts, we were delighted to give this enthusiastic group some practical tips on how to handle interviews. The Russell Taylor team put constructive questions to them in a face-to-face situation then gave them the all-important feedback. Hopefully, this will set them on the road to getting a job. Our staff enjoyed the experience too - they loved the day and the interaction with the youngsters. They also felt that they were making a real difference by boosting their confidence to succeed in finding work.”

Russell Taylor staff took some unusual steps themselves during the day - using the climbing wall at The Hive for some team-building exercises.

Nothing’s too tough for Russell Taylor’s charity fundraisers

September-2017

A tough team from Russell Taylor Holdings achieved a muddy brilliant result after taking part in one of the UK’s most gruelling challenges. The team of 12 completed Tough Mudder at the weekend and beat their fundraising target of £3,000 – bringing in a total over £4.2k for the company’s chosen charity, Claire House Children’s Hospice.

Members of the Tough Mudder team - Alex Drury, Ben Evans, Georgie Betts, Martin Willemsen, Max Parry, Mike Kinealy, Rob Kurton, Sian Lowe, Steven McCarthy, Stuart Watson, Tom Owens and Zoe Marsden – all completed the demanding 12-mile mud and obstacle course in the grounds of Cheshire’s Cholmondeley Castle.

Ben Russell, chief executive of Russell Taylor Holdings Ltd, said: “This was a challenge that called for teamwork, camaraderie, stamina and simply getting the job done – something that everyone who works here buys into every day. Tough Mudder is probably the hardest fundraising event ever devised but, like all the charity projects we undertake, the Russell Taylor team went in to it with true fighting spirit. And their amazing efforts paid off – raising even more than they expected for Claire House, a hospice particularly close to our hearts which helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full.”

Peter Russell joins programme to get young people ‘work ready’

September-2017

Giving youth a vital foothold on the first rung of the employment ladder has gone high on the agenda of Russell Taylor Group. Company chairman, Peter Russell, has been invited to give vital careers advice and support as part of an ongoing programme to help young people to become “work-ready”.

Partnering with the Enterprise and Employability team at The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead as part of its ‘Get a Job’ project, Peter will be leading a session to give an insight into the world of work and offer real solutions to finding employment. Work placements and apprenticeships will be among the topics for discussion.

As a founder patron of The Hive, a new £6m youth facility created with a combination of private sector and public funding, Russell Taylor Group sees its role as opening doors of opportunity to a brighter future for its members, now totalling around 5,000. Opened in April this year, the aim of The Hive is to bring a safe, inspiring and affordable environment to an area with almost 39,000 young people aged between 10 and 19, one which has the second highest concentration of unemployment in disadvantaged communities in England and where child poverty is significantly higher than the national average.

Peter, a keen champion of developing and nurturing young talent within the Russell Taylor organisation, said: “Learning and development is at the heart of this company's ethos and is a key driver of our cultural ethos. That’s why I’m looking forward to hearing about the hopes and dreams of these young people and helping to set them on that all-important road to employment. All they need is a chance and, given the right direction, can massively contribute to the success of businesses like ours which believe building up their own talent pool to create a loyal and dynamic workforce for the future.”

They’re having the time of their lives – thanks to Russell Taylor

August-2017

Thousands of young people are having the time of their lives - with the help of Russell Taylor. The Hive, a dynamic new youth zone being supported by the company as one of its founder patrons, is this summer packed full of sport, art and music programmes as well as innovative employability and enterprise projects to help set its members on the road to work. To celebrate reaching the staggering figure of 5,000 memberships since opening in April, The Hive this week released a video showing the impact it’s making on young lives.

Ben Russell, chief executive of Russell Taylor Holdings Ltd, said: “I never doubted for one minute that supporting The Hive was the right thing for our business to do – and this video shows exactly why we are at the heart of everything the youth zone has to offer. Helping its young members become work-ready is something we are delighted to be getting involved in at The Hive and we’ll be working in partnership with its Employability and Enterprise programme organisers to support them on the road to getting jobs. Russell Taylor’s family values are at the forefront of our patronage of The Hive to make sure all its young people are given the opportunities they deserve.”

View The Hive’s video here. https://youtu.be/79XaqcMpPu8

The going’s getting tough for Russell Taylor’s charity fundraisers

September-2017

A team of 12 from Russell Taylor Holdings will be showing how tough they are when they take part in one of the UK’s most gruelling charity challenges. They have all signed up for Tough Mudder, a 12-mile mud and obstacle course through electric wires, dark tunnels, freezing water, barbed wire and flaming bales of hay that will stretch them to their absolute limits.

It’s all in aid of a companywide fundraiser for Claire House, the children’s hospice close to the business’ headquarters in Bromborough which has over the years benefitted greatly from previous fundraising initiatives by employees.

Members of the Tough Mudder team - Alex Drury, Ben Evans, Georgie Betts, Martin Willemsen, Max Parry, Mike Kinealy, Rob Kurton, Sian Lowe, Steven McCarthy, Stuart Watson, Tom Owen and Zoe Marsden - are now in training for the event which is being held in the grounds of Cheshire’s Cholmondeley Castle on Sunday, September 10.

Ben Russell, chief executive of Russell Taylor Holdings Ltd, said: “This will be the third time the company has entered Tough Mudder to help the charities we as a business support. It’s a companywide initiative and is a challenge that calls for teamwork, camaraderie, stamina and simply getting the job done – something that everyone who works here buys into every day. This is probably the hardest fundraising event ever devised but, like all the charity projects we undertake, the Russell Taylor team are going in to it with true fighting spirit. We will once again be raising money for Claire House, a hospice particularly close to our hearts which helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full.”

The target figure being aimed at for Claire House is £3,000. A JustGiving page has been set up – to help the Russell Taylor Tough Mudders reach their goal, you can donate here. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/russell-taylor-group

5,000 reasons for Russell Taylor Group’s delight to be founder patron of The Hive

August-2017

Russell Taylor Group has 5,000 reasons to be happy since the business decided to become a founder patron of The Hive. For that’s the staggering number of members of the new £6m state-of the-art youth zone in Birkenhead, a centre that’s helping to put young people from Wirral on the right track to a brighter future.

Ben Russell, Group CEO of Russell Taylor Holdings Ltd, decided to support the work of The Hive after hearing of the impact it was likely to make on young lives with its employability and enterprise projects as well as its huge range of youth facilities and community initiatives. That was at the beginning of the year when the centre, which opened in April, had a target membership of 3,000.

After learning that the figure had reached the 5,000 mark in such a short space of time, Ben said: “It’s hardly surprising that young people are clamouring to join The Hive. The quality and variety of youth work going on there is amazing. Supporting the centre as a founder patron is one of the most exciting ventures we, as a company with national headquarters on Wirral, have ever undertaken and we’re proud that our partnership with The Hive is opening doors of opportunity to thousands of local young people. As a family firm, we place family values and community spirit at the heart of our operations and that's why we see ourselves helping young members to reach goals they may never have imagined possible. It doesn't matter where you are born or brought up – all young people need the same advantages to ensure a brighter future for themselves and to make a significant contribution to our economy.”

Kate Thomas, business development manager at The Hive, added: “It’s only with the generous support of Russell Taylor Group that we are able to deliver a world-class youth provision here in Wirral and we know from our young people - and their families - that The Hive is already having a positive impact on their lives.” 

The Hive aims to bring a safe, inspiring and affordable environment to an area with almost 39,000 young people aged between 10 and 19, one which has the second highest concentration of unemployment in disadvantaged communities in England and where child poverty is significantly higher than the national average.

Facilities at The Hive are unlike any other in the area – there's a sports hall, skate park, climbing wall, boxing gym and fitness suite, arts room, recording studio, dance and drama studio plus a media room with IT equipment, film studio and radio booth and recreation area with pool, table tennis and games consoles.

The health and wellbeing of its young people are at the heart of The Hive's operations with mentoring and support, inclusion programmes for those with additional needs.

Employability and enterprise are also high on the agenda. Targeted activities will aim to increase confidence and skills while projects will be put in place to access paid work, work placements and apprenticeships.

Russell Taylor Group charity fundraiser boosts Cruse Bereavement Care by £3,500

May-2017

A fundraising night at Parkgate’s 1 Mostyn Square restaurant has raised £3,500 for the wonderful charity Cruse Bereavement Care.

Organised by Bromborough-based technical recruitment company Russell Taylor Group, whose group chief executive Ben Russell is owner of the restaurant, the donation will go to support the organisation that helps adults and young people when they lose someone they love. There is a huge demand for the level of support Cruse Bereavement Care offer so Russell Taylor’s fundraising mission has been welcomed by the Group’s Chairman, Peter Russell, and his wife Pat who is Chairman of Cruse.

The evening included a 3-course meal, raffle and live auction (among the prizes were a designer handbag and a James Bond speedboat experience!). The final total from the night were boosted by charity contributions from “own clothes days” by staff at Russell Taylor Group's headquarters on Riverside Park.

Russell Taylor Group - helping businesses and residents in New Ferry.

May-2017

On 25th March 2017 a gas explosion in New Ferry destroyed several buildings and left a number of business premises badly damaged. A cordon remains around the blast site and numerous traders are still unable to access their properties which is directly affecting the livelihoods of owners, staff and residents.

The local community is rallying to help, and with the support and assistance that is being given right across the district the recovery will very much be a collaborative effort. If you would like to offer your support to those affected by this terrible event there are a number of ways you can help:

The New Ferry Town Team have established a fund to help ease the burden on businesses that have been unable to trade, have lost stock and are without premises. The aim of this fund is to raise £10k which will be used to support those in most need, supporting them to recommence trading in their own units or in ‘pop-up’ premises in New Ferry. Any support you may be able to offer will go directly to the affected businesses and is much appreciated. Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lovenewferry.

If you have skills or expertise that could help those affected and would like to offer your services then your support, equipment, building materials or manual labour are greatly needed.  You can help businesses and residents in the town begin get back on their feet by providing time, support, skills or something else entirely, please contact - newferry@wirralchamber.co.uk.

You can also help raise the profile of this cause by passing the message onto others that may be able to help. Please show your support on social media (#lovenewferry) or email your staff and customers. This would be greatly appreciated by the businesses and residents of New Ferry.

If you can provide help then it would be greatly appreciated by the residents and business owners affected by the explosion. If are able to provide support in any other way than outlined above then please don’t hesitate to contact Wirral Chamber of Commerce on 0151 650 6940 or newferry@wirralchamber.co.uk.

From Team RTG, New Ferry Town Aid, Wirral Council and the Wirral Chamber of Commerce - thank you!

Russell Taylor staff pull together to help blast victims

April-2017

THE plight of families who lost their homes and belongings in a massive explosion prompted a rapid call to action by the Russell Taylor Group workforce. Within hours of hearing about the major incident in nearby New Ferry, where the catastrophe left more than 30 people injured and properties devastated by the blast, staff began raising money to help rebuild the community as well as donate clothing and other essentials.

Managing director Ben Russell said: “The explosion happened quite close to our Bromborough headquarters and many of our employees have friends and know of families affected by this tragedy. We've heard terrible stories of mothers with young children who were left with very few clothes and shoes and having to go into temporary accommodation with their families. The situation was so desperate for others who had to find things for their children to wear in the school lost property box. Once we asked staff to collect items together, there was a mountain of clothing in no time at all which has now been taken to a central distribution point close to the disaster area. Every week we have a casual clothes day with donations going to charity. This week, we asked staff to dig even deeper – and they were all very generous. Donations are still coming in though and, once we get a final total, the business will be match funding it. As a company that puts family first, everyone is pulling together to help the aid work going on in this local community.”

Russell Taylor Group acts to transform young lives

March-2017

GENERATIONS of young people are about to have their lives transformed as a dynamic new initiative partnered by Russell Taylor Group gets under way. The business has announced it has become a founder patron of The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead, a groundbreaking project to help put thousands of young people from all over Wirral on the right track to a brighter future.

The Hive, a £6m state-of-the art development in the heart of the town and built adjacent to Birkenhead fire station in Exmouth Street, has been created with a combination of public and private sector funding and will open its doors on Saturday, April 8. Its aim is to bring a safe, inspiring and affordable environment to an area with almost 39,000 young people aged between 10 and 19, one which has the second highest concentration of unemployment in disadvantaged communities in England and where child poverty is significantly higher than the national average.

Ben Russell, managing director of Russell Taylor Group, said: “To become a founder patron of such an amazing facility here on our doorstep is one of the most exciting ventures we have undertaken. As a family firm, we place family values and community spirit at the heart of our operations and that's why we see ourselves playing our part in helping young people to reach goals they may never have imagined possible. It doesn't matter where you are born or brought up – all young people need the same advantages to ensure a brighter future for themselves and to make a significant contribution to our economy. Our partnership with The Hive offers endless opportunities to show local young people, many of whom are in need of extra support to reach their full potential, that they deserve the best.”

Stuart Barnes, chief executive of Wirral Youth Zone, added: “Working in collaboration with local organisations is a fundamental part of making The Hive a success in the community. We want to work together to make sure the offer for young people is the best it can be and the support and expertise of Russell Taylor Group can help us to improve this offer.”

Facilities at The Hive will be unlike any other in the area – there's a sports hall, skate park, climbing wall, boxing gym and fitness suite, arts room, recording studio, dance and drama studio plus a media room with IT equipment, film studio and radio booth and recreation area with pool, table tennis and games consoles.

The health and wellbeing of its young people will be at the heart of The Hive's operations with mentoring and support, inclusion programmes for those with additional needs and, in a dedicated area for hair and beauty, there will be a safe space to discuss issues such as image, self-esteem and positive role models.

Employability and enterprise are also high on the agenda. Targeted activities will aim to increase confidence and skills while projects will be put in place to access paid work, work placements and apprenticeships.

The Birkenhead centre will be open seven days a week, every day of the year, evenings and weekends as well as daytime during school holidays. Membership is £5 and admission is 50p per session.

The Hive Youth Zone is a locally-led charity supported by OnSide Youth Zones, a national charity committed to creating a UK-wide network of centres, and based on a youth zone model in Bolton which has been making an impact on young people's lives for over a century. Seven youth zones have been created since 2008 and figures show that 89 per cent of members reported feeling more self-confident as a result of attending one of the centres; 80 per cent achieved better marks at school; 70 per cent exercised regularly each week; 80 per cent said they were thinking about life after school or further education; 86 per cent who completed an employability programme went on to employment, education or training, and police attributed to Wigan Youth Zone a 77 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour within a two-mile radius of the centre.

Find out more about The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead at http://www.thehiveyouthzone.org

From Russell Taylor to Moldova's children with love

December-2016

A total of 65 shoe boxes full of gifts – each one representing an employee at the group's businesses Russell Taylor and Recruit Right – has been donated by the company to Operation Christmas Child, the annual appeal run by international relief charity Samaritan's Purse.

Russell Taylor Group managing director Ben Russell said: “Those of us who are looking forward to spending Christmas with our families are reminded at this time of the year that not everyone is as fortunate as us. Filling these shoe boxes with toys and other items to bring some comfort and joy is one small way we can help make a difference to children in Moldova who have virtually nothing.”

Simon Barrington, executive director at Samaritan's Purse, added: “Every shoe box is packed with love, bringing the true meaning of Christmas to children. Thank you to Russell Taylor and Recruit Right for partnering with Operation Christmas Child and for helping to bring joy through a simple shoe box gift.”

Russell Taylor Group answers crisis call to help homeless

December-2016

Russell Taylor Group has answered a crisis call to help vulnerable people living on the streets this winter. The entire workforce from the company's headquarters in Bromborough, Wirral, and its satellite offices in the North West filled 65 rucksacks full of essential items such food, clothing, toiletries and blankets to help bring comfort to the homeless.

The filled bags were handed over to Wirral YMCA and the Charles Thompson Mission in Birkenhead, which supports the poorest in the local community, as part of the annual Rucksack Challenge organised by Wirral Chamber of Commerce. Russell Taylor Group managing director Ben Russell, a patron of Wirral Chamber, said: “The hardship of living rough on the streets is something incredibly hard for most of us to even imagine. But the problem is real and close to home. Last year, YMCA Wirral provided 2,745 bed nights to people in crisis so the least we could do was rise to the challenge and take part in this year's initiative to help those in need. Each rucksack represents every member of staff who, by getting involved in something as vital as this, understands the importance of playing their part in supporting the local community.”

Paula Basnett, chief executive at Wirral Chamber of Commerce, added: “To make a success of the Rucksack Challenge, which makes a difference to so many lives, we rely on our business community to work with us for donations to help both YMCA Wirral and the Charles Thompson Mission. Management and staff at Russell Taylor Group are well known for their generosity in supporting charitable causes so we were delighted when they delivered 65 donation bags, one bag from each member of its staff. It was a wonderful gesture.”

RTG's charity push funds rooms at new children's hospital

November-2016

A HUGE charity initiative by Russell Taylor Group is helping to make a vital difference to the lives of sick children and their families. Hi-tech state-of-the-art bedrooms are now in place at the new Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool – two of them thanks to the fundraising efforts of Russell Taylor and its sister company Recruit Right.

A year of charity activities – from skydiving and cake baking to intensive sporting challenges – all contributed to the final figure of £10,000 raised by staff based at the business headquarters in Bromborough, Wirral.

The Russell Taylor Room and the Recruit Right Room, named in recognition of the two companies' support for the hospital's fundraising appeal, each include facilities such as a specially-constructed bed for parents so they can stay close to their child, services hidden behind the bed-head panels and visual technology so young patients can project images on to the walls.

After a tour of the new hospital, built adjacent to the old Alder Hey and completed in September, Russell Taylor Group chairman Peter Russell said: “NHS funding only covered costs of the rebuild and essential fit-out and another £30m was needed to make the hospital child and family-friendly. This is where the Russell Taylor Group team was determined to make a difference. As a business that places massive importance on family values, getting behind this project inspired and motivated everyone to reach the £10,000 target to pay for these two special rooms.”

Peter, who raised £2,000 himself “doing time” for Alder Hey by getting locked in his office and only being allowed out after business associates paid a ransom to free him, continued: “The new hospital is stunning and innovative and will provide an amazing service for children and families from all over the region.

“Staff at Russell Taylor Group have a reputation for their energy and enthusiasm when it comes to getting involved in charity fundraising – whether working as a group in the workplace or doing individual challenges. This, however, was by far the biggest and most ambitious initiative ever undertaken and shows their true commitment to the community and to help make a difference to the lives of sick children.”

Recruit Right director Helen Cornah added: “We all knew a huge challenge was facing us but everyone wholeheartedly threw themselves into it and came up with some brilliant fundraising ideas. Ours is a high pressured work environment yet staff still found time to devote to this amazing new facility at Alder Hey.”

Alder Hey, Europe's busiest children's hospital, cares for more than 270,000 children, young people and their families every year. The new hospital project cost more than £270 million and provides a facility unlike any other in the United Kingdom for the treatment and care of children.

Tough stuff faces Russell Taylor team in charity challenge

September-2015

A team from Russell Taylor Group is getting ready for action in one of the UK's hardest  charity challenges. They have all volunteered for Tough Mudder, billed as the toughest event on the planet, to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, the company's nominated charity. The extreme challenge will see Rob Kurton, Brendon Hogan, Joel Barker, Graham Howard and Chris Whiteley tackle a punishing obstacle course over 10-12 miles on the Cholmondeley Estate in Malpas, Cheshire, on Sunday, September 13.

The Tough Mudder course has been designed by British Special Forces to test all-round strength, stamina, determination and camaraderie. Every year new obstacles are added to test participants' physical and mental strength – so it's not just running and crawling through mud but plunging into vats of ice, facing the fear of live electrical wires and flying through fields of fire.

This is the third time that Russell Taylor has taken part in Tough Mudder, the company's nominated charity. Its fundraising target is £10,000 to pay for a state-of-the-art bedroom at the hospital which cares for more than 270,000 children, young people and their families every year.

The group's chairman, Peter Russell, said: “I am extremely proud that once again staff have volunteered to face this incredibly hard challenge to raise money for Alder Hey. It's an endurance test like no other and I know they will put every ounce of commitment and enthusiasm into it.”

Russell Taylor Group has set up a JustGiving page for anyone who wants to support the Tough Mudder team in its fundraising for Alder Hey. To donate, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Russell-Taylor-Group-AlderHey

Russell Taylor Group's refugee action

September-2015

WIRRAL has been rallying to a call by Russell Taylor Group to help Syrian refugees by donating essential items for their survival.

Tragic images in the news spurred managing director Ben Russell to appeal to the public to help refugees who fled their homes to places like the Greek island of Kos. The result was a weekend which saw thousands of items – from toothbrushes and nappies to warm clothing and pop-up tents – being dropped off at the Marsh Cat restaurant in Parkgate, which is owned by Ben. A further appeal for volunteer drivers to transport the goods to a holding point at the Russell Taylor Group headquarters in Bromborough also resulted in a massive response from the local community.

The initiative began after restaurant Ben was moved by the plight of the refugees fleeing to the island of Kos. He said: “Everybody says 'We should do something'. So we did – and the result was absolutely staggering. Once word got out that we would be accepting goods, there was hardly a minute over the weekend when people weren't dropping items off here. Donations were coming from all over Wirral – the generosity of people has been unbelievable.”

Such was the volume of donations that the Marsh Cat found itself unable to fit everything in at its premises. Ben decided to use the headquarters of the technical and recruitment businesses Russell Taylor and Recruit Right on Riverside Park for storage until it can be shipped out to Greece by the charity Kos Kindess.

He added: “Then we obviously needed drivers to transport everything from Parkgate to Bromborough. Again, the response was phenomenal and within a short time we had a huge team of volunteer drivers helping out. All this started with a conversation with the charity which is desperately in need of things like warm clothing, baby blankets, children's shoes, baby bottles and toiletries to help  families fleeing from Syria. Initially, we just asked people to search through their homes to see if they had any unwanted items to donate. However, many people had obviously gone out shopping to buy new goods which arrived at the Marsh Cat as well as at our Bromborough sites in amounts that I can only describe as mountains. We are all overwhelmed by everyone's generosity which proves that we can make a difference by doing our bit to help this tragic situation.”

Sky's the limit for daring Russell Taylor fundraisers

September-2015

A brave group from Team RTG will all be free-falling above the Leicestershire countryside on Saturday, September 19 to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital, the company's nominated charity.

Russell Taylor's fundraising target is £10,000 to pay for a state-of-the-art bedroom at the Liverpool hospital which cares for more than 270,000 children, young people and their families every year.

The skydive with Black Knights Parachute in Leicester is the latest in a number of innovative fundraisers by the company which hopes to reach its target figure by the end of the year.

Russell Taylor Group chairman Peter Russell said: “This is probably the most daring of all the charity challenges our staff have been involved in. It really shows their commitment to our company ethos of charity initiatives in the local community and I am delighted that so many people have volunteered to face this daring task.”

Russell Taylor Group has set up a JustGiving page for anyone who wants to support the skydive team in its fundraising for Alder Hey. To donate, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Russell-Taylor-Group-AlderHey

Russell Taylor Group's charity push to fund room at new Alder Hey Children's Hospital

May-2015

Russell Taylor Group has launched a challenging charity initiative to pay for a state-of-the-art bedroom at the new Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Fundraising is now beginning in earnest at the company's headquarters in Bromborough with a target figure of £10,000 to reach by the end of the year. Alder Hey, Europe's busiest children's hospital, cares for more than 270,000 children, young people and their families every year. Work on the new Alder Hey in the Park project is due to be completed in September at a cost of more than £270 million and will provide a facility unlike any other in the United Kingdom for the treatment and care of children.

After a visit to the site of the new hospital which is being built adjacent to the existing Alder Hey, Russell Taylor chairman Peter Russell said: “Our business has a proud tradition of fundraising for charity and in recent years we have all pulled together to raise tens of thousands of pounds for worthwhile causes.

“NHS funding only covers costs of the rebuild and essential fit-out at Alder Hey and another £30m is needed to make the hospital child and family-friendly. This is where the Russell Taylor Group team is determined to make a difference.”

By raising £10,000, staff at Russell Taylor and its sister company Recruit Right, both based on Riverside Park in Bromborough, will be able to provide a personalised bedroom which will be called the Russell Taylor Group Room. The room will include facilities such as a specially-constructed bed for parents so they can stay close to their child, services hidden behind the bed-head panel and visual technology so young patients can project images on to the walls.

Peter added: “The new hospital is stunning and innovative and will provide an amazing service for children and families from all over the region. Russell Taylor and Recruit Right staff have a reputation for their energy and enthusiasm when it comes to getting involved in charity fundraising – whether working as a group in the workplace or doing individual challenges. I'm really excited about working on the Alder Hey project and can't wait for us all to get started.”