Big Leap is step in right direction
Staff, students and friends of the University are being encouraged to back a campaign that coincides with the upcoming leap year.
They are being urged to use their bonus day to raise money for good causes while also having fun.
The Big Leap campaign will see people inside and outside the University taking part in a host of events during the coming year.
Fundraising events
Events being organised by the University include a fire walk, a charity ball and a cake bake that aims to set a world record. People are also welcome to organise their own fundraising activities.
The University is putting forward six of its own projects as part of the initiative. Big Leap participants can raise funds for these projects or for another charity of their own choice.
Spotlight causes
The six ‘spotlight’ causes offer a wide choice for staff, many of whom may have a personal reason for supporting one or other of them.
They include the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine, which has two animal hospitals and a farm animals veterinary practice.
Also nominated is the Hope Park Counselling Centre, which provides counselling services to the local community.
The others are Access to Sport, the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, the Free Legal Advice Centre and the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre.
If people can encourage friends and family to sponsor them and do something unique and fun, it can raise awareness and add up to a lot of money that will benefit people at home and abroad.
World Record bid
The University is organising a series of mass-participation events, including a bid to set a Guinness World Record for the biggest cake bake.
It will take place on ‘leap day’ itself - 29 February - but staff are encouraged to carry out fundraising on any date.
Charitable giving
The Big Leap was officially launched on ‘Giving Tuesday’, the growing global annual celebration of charitable giving, on 1 December.
Support offered to those raising funds for University causes includes advice, online promotion and a fundraising pack, including sponsor forms.
Stories of those dedicating their time to the Big Leap will be shared in a supporters’ section of the Big Leap web pages.
Tax free donations
The University’s payroll giving scheme enables staff to give to any charity, tax free.
Money is deducted from an employee’s salary before tax is paid, so the donation includes money that would otherwise have gone to HM Revenue & Customs.
The University is aiming to raise the profile of payroll giving as it launches the Big Leap, and is aiming to gain Bronze or Silver accreditation from the Charity Aid Foundation.