Naturally aligned to the security sector, the charity Victim Support – nominated as lead charity for the 2010 Security Excellence Awards – is now inviting key players across the business community to take part in what’s being billed as “the fundraising challenge of the year”.
This one-off event – dubbed ‘The Tropical Island Challenge’ – is being held in association with ASIS International’s UK Chapter, whose chairman Mike Alexander – head of security at Henderson Global Investors – will be acting as facilitator.
So what’s it all about? On Thursday 31 March at the Chancery Lane offices of law firm Russell, Jones & Walker, six teams (each boasting ten participants) will arrive all dressed up for an imaginary one-day sightseeing trip to a tropical island (that, in reality, lasts from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm!)
Once ‘cast adrift’, they’ll then be set a selection of intellectual challenges. No physical activity’s involved, merely mental agility and an innate ability to solve problems!
Ultimately, the winners will be the team deemed to have shown the most initiative and dexterity.
Team-building and networking opportunity
This is nothing if not a unique opportunity for team-building, lateral thinking and pure hilarity all in aid of a hugely worthy cause – Victim Support – which, of course, is firmly aligned to the legal sector and does so much to help those who’ve unfortunately been on the receiving end of crime and criminality in one or more of its many guises.
For those of you not aware, Victim Support is the oldest and largest victims’ organisation in the world, providing crucial emotional support, practical help and information to over 1.5 million victims of crime and nearly 280,000 witnesses in court every single year.
Its services are free, anonymous and confidential, and available whether or not the crime has been police-reported and whenever it took place.
The charity conducts sterling work in helping people to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of all types of crime (including gang, gun or knife crime, homicide, domestic abuse, sexual violence, fraud, burglary, muggings and in the wake of tragic occurrences like 7/7).
As I write, competing teams for The Tropical Island Challenge are being formed by the likes of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, LISTEN, TINYg, The Security Institute, ASIS UK and The City of London Police (among others).
Indeed, UBM Live’s Security Portfolio also hopes to have a team present!
Key names in the security and law enforcement world
Put simply, the event is being linked-in with all of the key names in the sector, including the BSIA, the Metropolitan Police Service and the British Transport Police in addition to many corporate and statutory contacts developed through the years by the Victim Support organisation.
This is a pretty unique opportunity for the statutory and corporate sectors to work together in raising vital funds for Victim Support and have some fun along the way.
The potential exists for this to become an annual event with a theme variation year-on-year, and Victim Support volunteers will be there on the night to assist with proceedings.
Drinks and a selection of light refreshments will be provided.
Take part to support a fantastic charity
Speaking about The Tropical Island Challenge, Victim Support’s representative Claudine Piggott told SMT Online: “This is a rare opportunity to get a wide range of rival organisations competing against each other, having fun in the process and raising money for a worthy cause.”
Piggott added: “Our charity is privileged that Mike Alexander, the chairman of ASIS in the UK, will be facilitating the evening. With a tropical island theme, the event itself has an element of mystery. It’s a perfect team-builder, with participants given a series of top secret challenges to overcome.”
In conclusion, Piggott stated: “We welcome team and/or individual entries. No physical fitness is required, just mental dexterity. Tropical island attire will of course be needed, too!”
So, folks, now’s the time to escape to a land of sun, sea and golden sand, slap bang in the heart of The City of London!
Test your innovation and problem-solving skills and know that you’ve played a part in raising vital monies for a superb cause.
For more information on The Tropical Island Challenge or to register, contact Claudine Piggott direct on (telephone) 020 7336 1733 or via e-mail at: [email protected]
In addition, access the Victim Support website (a dedicated link has been provided on the right hand panel of this page)
