News

Axis Foundation Charity Ball 2024 raises £185,000

December 12, 2024By

Thanks to the generosity of our guests, sponsors and supporters, our 18th Axis Foundation Charity Ball raised an incredible £185,000

All proceeds from the ball go to our charity partner Demelza and to the Axis Foundation

The Axis Foundation supports through donations small, local and impactful causes; and Demelza looks after children with serious and terminal illnesses and their families. And our guests can be assured that every penny they donated on the night of the charity ball will reach an individual or a cause directly – and make a real difference.

As our Trustees’ Chairman, Peter Varney, said: “Thank you to all our guests for helping change lives for the better.”

We all enjoyed a truly wonderful evening with highlights including our auction (which featured a stunning pendant donated by jewellers G Collins & Sons), fun table games, a raffle, a delicious dinner and drinks plus music, magic and dancing – all in the splendid surrounds at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported us through sponsorship and donations – and to those who gave their time too, in particular our MC for the night Steve Sutherland and our tireless patron Alan Curbishley.

We are truly grateful.

See our full gallery of photos here and our our Charity Ball Programme here

Thank you…

….To all the following who booked a table …

  • A-Z Stone Repairs
  • AC Davis Electrical
  • Adeva Home Improvements BJL Electrical
  • Crown Paints
  • DM Jones
  • DMD Installations
  • DMG Offices
  • Dulux Decorator Centre
  • E&C Construction
  • Enviro Contract Solutions
  • Estec Engineering
  • Exterior Plas
  • FFT
  • First Choice Drainage Solution Gertski Wealth Management John Hayes, Founder Axis Foundation
  • Tim Hayes, MD Axis
  • Heron
  • Howdens
  • Howells
  • Integrated Solutions at
  • City Plumbing
  • J&D Pallet Services
  • Joe Ibrahim, MD Axis
  • LMP London
  • M&R
  • Margo Manning
  • Martin Arnold
  • Masons Scaffolding
  • Meru Services
  • Pioneer Site Services
  • Premier Roofing
  • REB Group
  • Regen Solutions
  • Russell Trew
  • SEI
  • Symphony Windows
  • Think Business Support
  • TW Drainage
  • UAS
  • Ultimate Services
  • VH Electrical
  • Peter Varney Associates

… and to these generous guests who have donated to the ball or contributed prizes and gifts …

  • Abdelmalik Hamli
  • AkzoNobel
  • Butler and Young
  • CLC
  • G Collins & Sons, Jewellers DFS Building
  • DSG Build
  • Gaia Newton Associates Hampson & Luck
  • H.I.G.
  • JLJ Decor
  • Kopa Scaffold
  • MC Builders UK
  • MMP Consultancy
  • Oakview Window Company Pinnacle ESP
  • Rose Construction
  • Stakot Construction
  • Summit 1986
  • Teco Interiors
  • Thomas & Thomas
  • Timeless Windows
  • TQW International
  • Wadesons
  • Zendrill

… to our sponsors …

  • Exterior Plas – Event Sponsor
  • Solace Electrical – Event and Champagne Reception Sponsor
  • Alandale – Photographers
  • Example Recruitment Group – Reception Trio, Santa Babies
  • Exterior Plas – Dinner Singer, Paul Holgate
  • GAA Design – Raffle
  • Jaw Roofing – Band, Soul Connection
  • Rocc – Raffle
  • Softcat – Raffle

… and, as always, a big thank you to …

  • Alan Curbishley – patron of the Axis Foundation
  • Steve Sutherland – MC for the night
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Demelza

Marathon Mike

October 21, 2024By

Axis’ Michael MacGibbon runs Royal Parks Half Marathon for Demelza

Mike raised £680 plus £170 gift aid for our charity partner Demelza running the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Axis’ Mike MacGibbon, Senior Contract Manager, completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon in two hours, 23 minutes and 13 seconds raising funds for our charity partner Demelza. Mike told us: “This was the second time I have taken part in this half marathon; the last time was the very first event in 2008!

“The weather was ideal to be running around parts of London, taking in Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and many more. Only five miles of the 13.1 route is on the road, the remaining 8.1 miles snake around Hyde Park.

“I didn’t know just how big the park is and how beautiful it is with The Serpentine river, and the autumn leaves providing colour.

“Representatives from various charities were out along the route to encourage their runners.The Demelza Team was positioned at mile six and nine, so their support was very welcome.

“I would recommend this event to anyone, whether putting your running shoes on for the first time or a seasoned runner, as it is well organised, well supported by the crowds and takes in some famous landmarks of London.”

You can still support Mike by making a donation here.

Demelza’s 20 runners raised nearly £13,000. Well done to everyone who ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Demelza!

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An Axis Foundation logo banner in front of the London Golf Club's clubhouse.Demelza

A Swinging Success at the 6th Axis Foundation Charity Golf Day!

July 29, 2024By

 

Scott Minto, Alan Curbishley and John Hayes holding a large cheque

Under a perfectly sunny sky, the lush greens of the London Golf Club saw our annual golf competition: The Alan Curbishley Classic.

Charity patron Alan Curbishley and Axis CEO John Hayes invited familiar faces from our generous subcontractors and sponsors to the competition. Teams played alongside celebrity golfers, which included premier league legends Matt Le Tissier and Teddy Sheringham, and Former England Rugby player, Jason Leonard.

The day kicked off with a warm welcome from the Foundation’s team and the presentation of a cheque worth £137,000 for our charity partner, Demelza. The cheque was awarded to friend of the charity, and former professional footballer, Scott Minto.

With the formalities out of the way, the players hit the tees, showcasing their skills — or lack thereof — with good humour. Among the highlights was the longest drive and nearest the pin competitions which saw some fantastic shots all round. Off the course, the event featured a silent auction with some incredible prizes, adding to the fun and the funds raised. The day concluded with a lunch and party games, hosted by comedian Aaron James.

All in all, the event, our 6th, was a swinging success, raising a significant amount of money for the Axis Foundation and Demelza. The funds will go towards supporting local, impactful projects, making a positive impact on lives across the country.

The day was a perfect blend of fun, philanthropy, and a little bit of friendly competition. A big thanks to all the celebrities, subcontractors, and supporters who made the day such a memorable one:

English rugby union player Jason Leonard (OBE); and British professional boxer John Conteh (MBE) as well as footballers Tony Gale, Mark Dennis, Keith Bertschin, Paul Walsh, Lee Bowyer, Graham Roberts, Ray Houghton, Rob Lee, Alex McCleish (OBE), Steve Brown, Matt Le Tissier, Gladstone Small and Jody Morris as well as Scott Minto who, like us, has supported Demelza for over 20 years!

Our generous guests included: Adeva Home Improvements (nearest the pin sponsor); DMDI, Martin Arnold, , Bauer Asbestos (refreshment buggy and hole in one sponsor), Bauder (hole sponsor), BVL Scaffolding, City Plumbing, DMD Contractors, DM Jones, Emplas, (hole sponsor), Envirocontract, FFT, Gertski Wealth Management, Howells Solutions (refreshment buggy sponsor), JEM, LMP, Marks Building (hole sponsor), Pegasus Siting (hole sponsor), Proactive Fire Solutions (longest drive sponsor), Range Cleaning, Russell Trew (longest drive and nearest the pin sponsor), Symphony Windows (hole sponsor), TW Drainage (nearest to the pin and hole sponsor) and VH Electrical.

An Axis Foundation logo banner in front of the London Golf Club's clubhouse. Comedian Aaron James with microphone. Attendees of the Axis Foundation golf day in group photo.The London Golf Club's clubhouse.

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News

Building An Education

April 29, 2024By

Axis’ Francesca Fordham applied to the Foundation to help build two new classrooms in new schools in Cape Town, SA. Now a Site Supervisor, Fran made her first trip to Cape Town when she was an apprentice via her college, North Kent.

Fran says: “Thank you to the Axis Foundation for supporting me in raising funds for my trip to South Africa with Mellon Educate. We will be building classrooms, desks, bookshelves and a playground in two schools in one of the townships. This trip will change the lives of hundreds of thousands of children for many years to come. It is such a great cause, and I will be very proud to be representing Axis while there.”

See the classrooms Fran helped build on her first trip here here: https://axiseurope.com/school-in-south-africa/

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Demelza

Volunteering at Demelza Shop

January 22, 2024By

Axis people lend a hand at Demelza’s shop

Axis Site Managers Nicola Moran and Billy Williams spent their Volunteering Day to help out at Demelza’s charity shop in Eltham just before Christmas.

Nicola said: “Billy and I both enjoyed the day volunteering in the shop. We helped sort through donations, worked on the till and put new stock out. Plus we helped put Christmas trees in the window.

“We have a new-found respect for everyone that works in the shop! It’s harder work than you realise and they were very busy. They made us feel very welcome. We will both volunteer in the shop again as it was good fun.”

Everyone who works at our parent company Axis gets a Volunteering Day. Our people often use theirs to support Demelza, our charity partner.

 

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Demelza

Bright Christmas at Demelza

January 22, 2024By

Axis’ Bright Sparks help out with Demelza’s Christmas lights

To brighten up Christmas at Demelza, volunteers from Axis’ Sittingbourne team – Joe Komorowski, Michael Kitts, George Ball, Stephen True and Jake Remon –  along with our subcontractor, BJL Electrical, set up Demelza’s Christmas lights.

And our volunteers used their expertise to additionally ensure that external lights are a permanent fixture for future events.

“By gifting us with their time, the team have helped us to light up the grounds of the hospice, which will be enjoyed by all! A huge thank you again to the team” – Clare from Demelza

Plus they also funded £500 worth of gifts via an Amazon Wishlist, using Sittingbourne’s scrap money and BJL Electrical’s kind donation.

“Another great volunteering day today with our friends and colleagues at Axis for the lovely charity Demelza, installing power supplies ready for their Christmas light install” – BJ Electrical

Everyone who works at Axis gets a Volunteering Day, and our people often use theirs to support Demelza, our charity partner.

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Group shot young men round table in clubDemelza

Fundraiser Quiz Night for Demelza!

January 19, 2024By

Bright sparks from Axis pit their wits for Demelza at annual Fundraiser Quiz Night

Tony Mantle, Operations Director, organises our Fundraiser Quiz Night every year, with the support of Marie Partner, Head of Business Development, and Vera O’Driscoll, Community Investment Coordinator. We hold our event at Sidcup Rugby Club in Kent.  This year we raised an impressive £1,677 for our charity partner Demelza.

“The Axis Quizzers came out in force to support our annual Fundraiser Quiz Night for Demelza. Over a hundred people came, and the competition was fierce. I really enjoy seeing people enjoy the night and most importantly donate much-needed money to Demelza” – Tony Mantle

“We were so delighted with the fantastic turn out, seeing everyone enjoying themselves, creating a fun-filled atmosphere. We thank everyone for their generosity on the night, all given in the True Axis Spirit for such a worthy cause, Demelza” – Marie Partner

“We raised an amazing amount for Demelza. Our contributions will go a long way for the children and families that Demelza supports!” – Vera O’Driscoll

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News

2023 Golf Day Success

January 8, 2024By

Another Success at the ‘Alan Curbishley Classic’.

Our annual charity golf day was held at the London Golf Club to raise money for Demelza and the Axis Foundation. On the day, an amazing total of over £26,000 was raised, going towards a variety of brilliant causes.

We have to thank all of our supporters including our sponsors for the day:

  • City Plumbing – Main Sponsor
  • Howells Solutions – On-course refreshments sponsor
  • Bauer – Golf buggy sponsor

A Day Amongst the Stars

Celebrities and supporters alike teed up at the prestigious London Golf Club, one of the country’s finest golf venues. The day saw various competitions held throughout the course including Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin.

In addition to our patron Alan Curbishley, some of the celebrities that attended the day included Bradley Walsh, Teddy Sheringham, Scott Minto, and Dave Beasant, among many more from the world of sport and entertainment.

Remember – you can apply to the Axis Foundation to support a cause or individual close to your heart.

Demelza, a charity close to our hearts, provides specialist care and emotional support to terminally ill children and their loved ones. We have supported the charity corporately, and through the Axis Foundation, for over 15 years.

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News

New Trustee for Axis Foundation

December 8, 2023By

Divisional Finance Controller Claire Pearce has been at Axis for over 23 years. She has recently been appointed to become one of the Trustees of the Axis Foundation.

She tells us what the Foundation means to her on both personal and professional levels.

“The Axis Foundation means a lot to me. I was here when it was created many years ago. Of course, we used to raise money for causes and individuals prior to that. The Foundation was created because giving money back and helping others is what Axis does. It’s what John [Hayes, Axis CEO] promotes: making an impact on people’s lives, especially helping children and families.

“To become a Trustee of the Axis Foundation is a huge, huge honour. It is humbling to make a decision that will have a huge impact on someone’s life. It might cost £2,000 but could be a life-changer. Yes, it’s an honour to be part of that process.

“When I became disabled 14 years ago, that was a life-changing event. So, I do have a bit of insight into what that means. And the Foundation has helped me personally by donating towards a mobility scooter for me.

“The applications that come in are incredible really. We treat each application individually. They are all read. And a great deal of thought goes into accepting or rejecting them. There are always valid reasons for rejecting or accepting them.”

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Demelza

Supporting our Charity Partner Demelza

December 4, 2023By

Everyone who works at Axis cherishes our Foundation and our charity partner Demelza

Indeed, there are literally no limits to what our people will do for the Axis Foundation and to ensure our charity partner, Demelza. continues to deliver extraordinary care to extraordinary children. Here are just a few examples: 

Top Row – We raised £800 in Children’s Hospice Week  * Collecting Demelza pots  * Getting Demelza’s garden summer-ready

Second Row  – Sorting donations at Demelza’s warehouse * Jake Thomas raised  £2,386 *   Miles in May raises £1,445

Third Row – Sarah Taylor raised £2,220 * Team Thames Path raised £2,255 * Team Tough Mudder raised £6,780

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