During 2016-17 Steven Henderson, Melissa Smyth and the members of Lloyds Bank, Belfast’s Pearl Crew have tirelessly fundraised in aid of The Laurence Trust, raising a massive £3192!!!
In January 2016 the Pearl Crew voted to name TLT as their nominated charity for the 2016-17 financial year. Steven, Melissa and the team have worked relentlessly throughout the year organising events to both raise funds for The Laurence Trust and raise awareness of eating disorders among men in Northern Ireland. Their efforts to date have raised an amazing £3192!!! This is a synopsis of their activities throughout the year:
In March, twenty-two lads and ladies from the Pearl Crew (and a whole host of supporters) took part in the ‘Inter Lloyds Banking Group’ charity football match against another team from the department at Solitude football stadium in North Belfast. With matched funding from Lloyds bank the guys raised a whopping £570!! Steven, Andy, Paddy, Dave, Seamus, Michael (and his two sons), Des, Phil, Jordan, Hayden, Mark, Jonny, Scott, Shane, Neil, Kieran and Jason lined up for the Pearl Crew team while Kelly was on hand (with her kids) to lend support. Melissa was on camera duty for the day and captured all the action!
Unfortunately for the Pearl Crew they lost a high-scoring game 6-5 on the day (yes you read that right 6-5!) with a last minute goal clinching the win for their departmental rivals, however it was a great day and great fun all round (the Pearl crew players are in green in the pic above).
Kelly from Pearl Crew bravely completed a charity swim in (May), overcoming her long standing fear of water in the process! Kelly raised £200 for TLT (again with matched funding from the bank). The guys at Lloyds and all at TLT would like to congratulate Kelly on conquering her fear!
The guys organised a prize draw in November in aid of TLT with prizes sourced by Andy, Kris, Melissa and Des. The amazing prizes included a signed NI shirt from their recent game against Germany, dog grooming vouchers, gym membership and a hotel stay. The team raised £228 with matched funding from the draw.
Melissa, Phil, Evan, Dave, Paddy and Donna along with two of Melissa’s friends (and of course the two dogs) took 4 hours and 38 minutes and braved the elements to climb Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains in September and raised £700 with matched funding! Again, a huge well done guys!!!
Leading up to Christmas 2017, the crew held a Cinema day (which Chris and Pam from TLT came along to). James from Pearl Crew was the key organiser of the event and he raised £170 with matched funding. James laid on the full cinema experience selling popcorn whilst showing Xmas movies on the big screen! James used all his own equipment and donated the bags of popcorn himself. HUGE THANKS to James for this one!! In addition to the cinema day, each employee gets a Xmas dinner allowance from which a number donated £5 of their money to the Laurence Trust raising a whopping £360 with matched funding.
As if all that hasn’t been enough, every Friday the guys at Lloyds have held a ‘dress-down day’ where they did not have to wear their business attire. Participants donated money to the Laurence Trust for this privilege. To date this alone has raise an unbelievable £520 including matched funding from the bank. The guys have also held several bake sales. As Steven’s described them: “we have one lady on our department (Peggy) who is our very own Mary Berry– with matched funding she raised £224 asking for donations in exchange for cakes. Peggy also paid for all of the ingredients from her own pocket”. A massive THANKS to Peggy for her efforts!!
As you can see; the guys from Lloyds Banks Pearl Crew (and the bank itself) have been simply unbelievable over the past year or so with their unwavering support! The Laurence Trust would like to say thank you to each and every member of staff who has contributed to or attended any of the fundraising events throughout the year.
Special mentions must go to Steven Henderson and Melissa Smyth who have co-ordinated everything on behalf of Lloyds. You have both been top notch from start to finish! Pam, Chris and everyone at the Laurence Trust appreciate what you have done so so much.
Thanks once again to all!