Staff at Gosport Borough Council will once again be doing their bit for Charity as they raise funds for not one, but two charities this year!
This will be the tenth year staff at Gosport Council have supported Jeans for Genes, an annual charity event, organised by Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, which raises much needed funding for research into genetic disorders in children.
In the past nine years a few pence short of £3,000 has been raised by council staff as they don the denim and turn the air blue!
“The atmosphere is always very friendly and very relaxed on our ‘Jeans’ day, which this year takes place on Friday 5 October,” said Brenda Brooker, Press Officer for the Council and co-ordinator of the charity events. “Wearing jeans instead of a suit or formal clothing is a great leveller and strange as it might seem, many large companies now regularly allow staff to wear casual clothes on a Friday as they actually find it improves moral and increases productivity.”
Although Jeans for Genes has been supported for many years by staff who pay £2 for the privilege of wearing jeans, new for this year will be ‘Wear It Pink’ where staff will be encouraged to wear anything pink and donate £2 to the Breast Cancer Campaign the excellent charity which funds research into breast cancer.
“People might think this is one for the ladies but once again all staff, both men and women, are being encouraged to take part,” added Brenda.
“The sad fact is many of us know will someone who has got, has had or will have breast cancer during their lifetime. It is the most common cancer in women in this country, with around 44,000 cases a year diagnosed and of which 12,500 women die. Although not as prevalent, men too can get breast cancer, but at around 300 cases a year diagnosed and around seventy deaths it is thankfully much rarer.”
“That is why research is so important for both these charities and why we hope that members of the public will excuse our casual attire on both days. But they can rest assured our work will continue as normal.”
If any member of the public wishes to support the charities by contributing to either:-
· Jeans for Genes - Friday 5 October or
· Wear it Pink - Friday 26 October
Collection boxes will be made available at the main reception counter for donations.
