Deloitte launches Charity Challenge 2015 in aid of Mind, Alzheimer's Society & Prostate Cancer UK

Mind is one of three charities being supported by Deloitte’s Charity Challenge 2015, in which 246 staff at the professional services firm will take part in four events across four continents to raise £1million.

Deloitte’s Charity Challenge in aid of Mind, Alzheimer’s Society and Prostate Cancer UK, kicks off on 17 June and will see staff climbing Kilimanjaro, white water rafting in Borneo, trekking up Mulhacen in Spain and scaling one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Cotopaxi, in Ecuador.

Claire Burton, head of corporate responsibility at Deloitte, said: “In 2013, at the start of our charity partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, Mind and Prostate Cancer UK, we pledged to raise £2 million in three years. The Charity Challenge will be Deloitte’s largest and most exciting fundraising event to date and will add to the £1.5 million we have already raised.

“However, traditional fundraising is only one of the ways in which we aim to support our charity partners. Many of the challenge participants have a strong personal connection with the charities and Deloitte staff have already been involved in our partnership through volunteering or pro-bono support in areas such as analytics, finance and project management.”

Deloitte has already raised nearly £500,000 towards its £1 million target through a series of fundraising events, including the ‘Deloitte Dances’ competition, which raised nearly £25,000 in total. The event saw seven Deloitte Partners strap on their dancing shoes for a showcase judged by celebrity guest, and Mind Ambassador, Frankie Bridge.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, who will trek Mulhacen said: “It takes a huge amount of commitment and determination to complete any one of these challenges and we are beyond delighted to have the incredible support of Deloitte.

“We wish every single member of the Deloitte Charity Challenge team the very best and will all be keeping a close eye out for their progress! The support of team Deloitte is going to help Mind to be there so that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.”