RESPONSE takes stage for Yorkhill Children's Foundation

Tuesday, 30 November 2010 00:00

RESPONSE staff have raised more than £4,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation by taking part in a star-studded talent contest and danger defying fire and glass walks.

Employees at the leading Glasgow-based contact centre business put their musical talent to good use when they took to the stage at Ibrox Stadium for the Reach for the Stars final last Friday, raising £2,100 for the foundation.

The event, which involved over 100 staff, included impressive performances by acts ranging from The Kinks of Leon and George of the Jungle to River Dancers and The Zumbaites.

On the judging panel for the contest were the actors Kiera Lucchesi who plays Stella Walker in River City and Shabana Bakhsh, who played Jasmine Koreshi in Waterloo Road. They were joined by the Scotland A and Glasgow Warriors rugby player James Eddie. The first prize was awarded to George Campbell (aka George of the Jungle) for his amazing piano solo. George is one of RESPONSE’s learning and development specialists.

Elsewhere, ten members of the RESPONSE team put themselves to the test by taking part in a fire and glass walk held at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill), raising over £2,200. Testing mind and body against the elements, the team tackled a 20ft-long bed of wood embers burning at 1236o Fahrenheit and some even smashed their fears on 15-ft of broken glass.

Over the coming year, RESPONSE hopes to raise £20,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, which is based at the hospital. The money raised will help pay for in-patient simultaneous EEG/Video telemetry equipment, which is used to help diagnose children with epilepsy, one of the most common serious neurological disorders of childhood.

Brian Bannatyne, Managing Director of RESPONSE, said: “The effort and the enthusiasm shown by the team is tremendous. Everyone has really got behind our charity fundraising efforts and we are determined to keep the momentum going in the New Year.

“The money raised is going towards a really worthwhile cause and I hope it helps make a big difference to the children and their families.”

Shona Cardle, Chief Executive of Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, said: “The support and the generosity that has been shown by staff at RESPONSE is overwhelming. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and will help us buy more medical equipment that will make a significant difference to the lives of children with epilepsy.”