Search Seven’s #share7 campaign – six months on

Following on from the remarkable #share7 charity campaign that local digital marketing agency Search Seven successfully ran in 2018 – resulting in £20,000 being donated and shared between 7 charities to celebrate their 7th year in business – we take a look at where and how the money has been utilised to make a difference!

SBT supported the launch of the #share7 charity initiative back in April 2018, with Search Seven announcing three charity events to bring together the community – including clients, partners, friends, family and also ALL the charities – to have fun and share experiences, and ultimately to raise awareness and raise funds that can make a significant difference.

At the end of the year, the ambitious target of £17,000 was surpassed and the final total was £20,000. Managing Director, Gavin Willis says “we helped to raise £17,000 in our first six years of business, so to set a target of £17,000 for one year was a big ask – I am completely shocked that we not only met this, but beat it, resulting in even more money going to great causes – it means so much to me and the whole team”

The Seven charities were nominated by each member of the team, and these were Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, Sussex Beacon, Alzheimers Society, Group B Strep Support, Clock Tower Sanctuary, RISE & Nkuringo Foundation.

Here we look at how the charities are doing in 2019:

Group B Strep Support – 

“2019 has been an incredibly busy year for the charity. Thanks to our supporters’ tireless campaigning, we’ve seen a ground-breaking £2.8 million clinical trial looking at the best way to prevent group B Strep infection announced, which will be taking place over the next couple years. 

 “July was Group B Strep Awareness Month, so support from individuals and organisations like Search Seven is invaluable in enabling the charity to educate and support more families.”

The Sussex Beacon:

“The Sussex Beacon has been going from strength to strength over the last six months. Our service users (250+ per year) give us great feedback and we have been increasing the range of services that we can provide.

“From the media one might assume that everyone who is living with HIV is fine now, and that drug therapy makes everything ok. It’s true that many people living with the virus are unaffected on a day to day basis, but this changes over time for some. There are also a minority of people who have daily challenges because of HIV.

“This last group is the one with whom we work. Search Seven’s really generous donation has helped us to keep up the high level of service in our hospital unit. We have 10 beds that are occupied everyday of the year by people with severe physical health problems, such as cancer or COPD, and some with acute mental health issues. This unit is the only one of its kind in the South of England. While we get some support from the NHS, the survival of our hospital depends on donations.”

“We are always happy to be recognised by local businesses and we were proud to be involved in the high profile and successful #Share7 campaign.”

RISE UK

“Following on from 2018, Search Seven has continued to support the charity, and were instrumental in helping us with a new ‘SuperheroesRISEup’ initiative, where local companies sponsored a KM marker in our Heroes Run on Hove Seafront, which helped raise an extra £2,000

“The way Search Seven has supported RISE has been more unique and innovative than any other business has ever done so we’d love to shout from the roof tops about it so they get the recognition they deserve!” 

The Clock Tower Sanctuary     

“We have committed Search Seven’s donation to helping vulnerable 16 to 25-year olds to move from crisis to independence.” 

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

“Through the fantastic fundraising efforts of companies like Search Seven, who help us raise funds to carry out our vital work, we think it’s important to shout about the fantastic projects they’ve helped us achieve, which are already making a big difference to healthcare services in Sussex.

“In the past 6 months, the incredible £10,000 donation from Search Seven’s #share7 campaign has helped towards many of our current projects.”

They include:

• Bilirubin monitors for the Community Midwife Team
• Veinsite equipment for the Royal Alex
• Ventilators for the Royal Alex
• Hill Park School Drivedeck
• Whoopsadaisy equipment and sensory items

Nkuringo Foundation

“At the end of 2018, we started a campaign to raise enough money to provide a lifesaving operation to Gilipina – a young lady with a tumour behind her eyeball. The money raised by Search Seven gave Gilipina the funds to start her treatment, as well as help towards beds and books at both the primary and secondary school

“We are currently preparing for a big charity fundraising push to get a new hospital built, and the continued support from businesses like Search Seven is truly amazing.”

Gavin Willis adds: “We’re only a small agency but we try to do things the right way, and by placing purpose before profit, we are motivated to make a difference – and to see our efforts turn into new equipment and support for our chosen charities is fantastic, and this alone is enough motivation to keep us pushing on.”

Search Seven continue their charity efforts in 2019 with a golf day in August and a quiz night in November (please get in touch with events@searchseven.co.uk  to enquire) and were winners of best corporate fundraiser in 2018 at the BAHBAs. In 2019, they were named as finalists at the BAHBAs in 3 categories, including CSR Excellence, although we went to print before winners were announced. Good Luck to Search Seven nevertheless and congratulations on your recognition for the excellent charity work that you do as a small team.