The Rank Group Plc

Carers Trust is delighted to be in partnership with The Rank Group Plc, owners of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos. The partnership was launched in February 2014 and funds the Rank Cares grants programme for unpaid carers across the UK.

 

The grants give carers access to desperately needed breaks, essential equipment to support caring responsibilities and skills and training courses. They can make the challenge of being a carer that little bit easier, help stop people from breaking down under the strain and help carers find ways to cope with caring. Since the start of the partnership, the funds raised by the Rank Group have helped over 13,135 unpaid carers.

Fundraising and volunteering

14 February 2022 marked the ninth year anniversary of the partnership. Over the nine years the teams have taken part in skydives, head shaves, hair waxing, team vs team challenges, fancy dress days, walks, marathons and cycles . . . the list is endless.

Video six-year-thank-you-video does not exist.

 

Employees have also been showing their support by volunteering to help their local Carers Trust Network Partners. They have helped with gardening, baking cakes for events, supporting in Carers Week, organising pamper days, cooking a 3-course meal and providing HR support, to name just a few activities.

Ten Network Partners were able to run peer support groups with funding from Rank. These Network Partners also worked closely with the local Mecca & Grosvenor clubs to help with afternoon teas and spaces to meet and to build on the local support in the community.

We are celebrating some exciting news ... the Rank Group has just hit the £3m milestone

“Rank’s partnership and seven-year support for Carers Trust has enabled us to make a huge difference through our campaigning and advocacy work for the UK’s unpaid carers. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for the £3million raised so far. which has transformed the lives of so many carers over such a long period.  The money raised thanks to the tireless efforts of staff and customers at  Rank, Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca means that Carers Trust and its Network of local support partners have been able to continue their life-changing work through a very challenging period.”
Svetlana Kirov, Executive Director of Fundraising

“I am tremendously proud of all our Rank colleagues and customers who have fundraised over the last seven years and helped us hit the fantastic £3m milestone. It is really quite an achievement.

“The links with our local communities are incredibly important for us at Rank and we look forward to continuing our support to Carers Trust and to the many dedicated carers within our local communities who do such an amazing job in providing help and support to those in need.”
John O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Rank

“I take on these challenges because it enables me to have a platform to raise awareness for an incredible support system that is often not know to be available”. 

Gemma

"Throughout our lives, we come across charities that we feel are a worthy cause so, we dig deep and donate to help them. However, Carers Trust spoke to me on a more personal level and, although I still donate, I felt that there was more that I could do to help this great cause in both gaining more donations and, increasing their exposure to the general public.   

Over the period of their affiliation with Rank, I have put myself forward for quite a few events including a 100-mile cycle ride on an indoor turbo trainer and 2 London Marathons (2018 & 2021) as I feel that strongly about this charity.

Last year I added three other races onto my London Marathon excursion and, I also wrote a blog about my journey to help gain more exposure and to keep my donors up to date of my progress. 

This year, to help raise Carers Trust's profile, all the races I have participated in have been run wearing their colours as, I believe it's the least I can do to help those who need assistance whilst looking after their ailing family members, especially the younger generation who sometimes need to put their lives on hold.

I was recently asked if I would consider running for Carers Trust in this year's London Marathon as well and, without taking even a second to think about it, have agreed to run in this great event again so that I can again raise much needed funds and generate even more publicity for this great organisation".

Steve

Running the Vitality Big Half and Virgin London Marathon 2021

The Rank Group had four runners taking part in the live running events in 2021, with one runner in The Vitality Big Half and three runners in the Virgin London Marathon. They collectively raised a staggering £10,000 to help support Carers Trust.

Special Fundraising Challenge in 2021

60k in 60 days

Mecca has been celebrating its 60th Anniversary throughout 2021.

As part of the celebrations, it took on the challenge to raise £60K in 60 Days for Carers Trust. In August and September, special themed nights and charity challenges raised an incredible £61,038 by the end of the 60 days.

This year in 2022...

In September and October this year Rank have three runners taking part in the Vitality Big Half, four runners in the TCS London Marathon & 15 cyclists taking on the London to Brighton 55 mile cycle all fundraising to support unpaid carers.

About the Rank Cares Grants programme

Our partnership is enabling us to deliver small grants to carers registered with Carers Trust's Network Partners:

  • Carers Essentials Fund – carers can apply for grants towards the cost of vital equipment such as washing machines, cookers, fridge freezers or a bed.
  • Carers Take Time Out Fund – is giving carers time out from caring to relax, do something for themselves and recharge their batteries.
  • Carers Skills Fund – is enabling carers to learn new skills to help them with caring or to return to work.

Please note, carers must be registered with a Carers Trust Network Partner to access these grants. 

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