The Rank Group and Carers Trust hit £3.5m fundraising milestone for unpaid carers

The Rank Group Plc (‘Rank’) is celebrating entering its 10th anniversary year with Carers Trust by announcing it has raised an incredible £3.5m for unpaid carers.

The major fundraising milestone was hit just before Christmas thanks to unwavering support from colleagues and customers of Rank, which includes Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos.

Funds raised through Rank have been used to provide more than 13,780 unpaid carers with support from Carers Trust’s UK-wide network of local carer organisations. These centres provide unpaid carers with support, advice and much-needed respite breaks.

Money raised from the partnership also goes towards helping carers develop new skills and provides grants for them to buy essential household items like fridges and washing machines. Carers Trust research shows many carers are being forced out of paid work by the pressures of looking after loved ones. As the cost of living rises, many household items are unaffordable for carers without some financial help.

One person who made use of a grant this year is mum-of-two Maureen from Dumfries. Maureen is a carer for her 14-year-old son Thomas (pictured, front, with brother Steven) who is autistic. She is a single parent and has to work extra hard to help Thomas with his day-to-day needs.

She works full-time as a finance worker at a wholesalers but her salary only goes so far. When the boiler at her home went wrong and she was landed with a £2,000 bill to replace it, Maureen wasn’t sure how she would afford it until Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre advised her she could apply for a £300 Rank grant through Carers Trust.

Maureen said:

“I had to get a replacement boiler otherwise there wouldn’t have been any hot water for the boys. I just had to get it there and then but I didn’t know how I could afford that – all my wages went on that boiler. I didn’t know about these kind of grants, I’ve always tried to pay for these things myself, but the advice to apply for the money was a lifesaver. It was fantastic and the money came through so quickly. I’m really grateful and I can’t praise Carers Trust and Rank enough for that help. It stopped me and the boys struggling for a good few months.”

Carers Trust’s partnership with Rank began in 2014 and is marking its 10th anniversary year. This year it was recognised in the European Casino Awards and crowned winners of the Corporate Community Engagement Awards 2023.

Money raised in the past 10 years has come through a myriad of activities including sports challenges, donations, payroll giving and venue fundraising.

Twenty employees are now planning one of their biggest fundraising challenge yet by taking on the National Three Peaks challenge with a target of £30,000.

Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“The announcement that Rank has reached £3.5m in fundraising is the perfect Christmas present for all of us at Carers Trust and our network of local carer organisations. Rank’s support has been absolutely vital over the past 10 years in our fight to help unpaid carers across the country. Many are being plunged into poverty by their caring role and every grant can make a massive difference to their lives. We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the staff and customers at Rank, Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo for their unwavering commitment.”

Rank’s CEO, John O’Reilly, said:

“I am delighted that, as we approach our 10-year anniversary of supporting Carers Trust, we have successfully raised £3.5 million for unpaid carers through the outstanding fundraising efforts of our dedicated colleagues and the generosity of our customers. The unwavering support of colleagues over these ten years shows their huge commitment to the vitally important support Carers Trust provides to unpaid carers across the UK."

Lesley Jeffrey, Adult Carers Manager at Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre, where Maureen is supported, said:

“The Carers Trust grants are a valuable part of the support we provide to our carers in Dumfries and Galloway. The cost of living increases has had a huge impact on carers, often leaving them without the finances for essentials. When a carer is feeling under pressure and struggling to cope in their caring role, something like a washing machine breaking down can feel like the end of the world.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact: Mark Chandler, mchandler@carers.org and 07712 427808