The OCS Foundation has raised £220,106 over the past 12 months to support bereaved military children, young people living with cancer, students facing financial hardship, and young people from underserved communities. The funds were raised by OCS colleagues, customers, and suppliers, with additional investment from OCS Group.
Colleagues raised funds through a wide range of activities, from a global virtual race marking OCS’s 125th anniversary to team challenges, coffee mornings, golf days, and supplier-supported prize draws.
The OCS Foundation works with four charity partners which will each receive a grant to support their work: the Irish Youth Foundation Bursary Programme, helping young people in Ireland stay in education and access training; Scotty’s Little Soldiers, providing respite breaks for bereaved military children and surviving parents; the Teenage Cancer Trust Emotional Support Programme, supporting young people through treatment, recovery, and beyond; and Brighten the Corners, whose New Gen music programme gives young people in Ipswich space to build confidence, develop skills, and connect with others.
Lorraine O’Brien, Chair, OCS Foundation, said: “It has been an incredible year, and we could not support our charity partners without the kindness, commitment, and involvement of our champions, colleagues, suppliers, and customers. Together, we are looking forward to the positive impact we can continue to make in young people’s lives.”
Sarah Edmonds, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Youth Foundation, said: “The team and Board of the Irish Youth Foundation are incredibly excited to partner with the OCS Foundation to create meaningful opportunities for children and young people across Ireland experiencing poverty and disadvantage. Through the IYF and OCS Bursary, this partnership will provide practical and transformative support that helps young people access opportunities, build confidence, and reach their full potential.”
Judith Anderson, Senior Relationship Manager, Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “The engagement shown from across OCS has been overwhelming and we can’t thank them enough for their overall support, enthusiasm, and dedication to make their fundraising a huge success. The partnership between OCS and Teenage Cancer Trust has had a huge impact for the young people we support with cancer.”
Joe Bailey, Chief Executive Officer, Brighten the Corners, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the OCS Foundation for supporting our youth project, New Gen. The donation will help us continue providing free, inclusive music and creative opportunities for young people in Ipswich, giving them space to build confidence, learn new skills, express themselves and connect with others. New Gen creates real pathways and opportunities for young people through making music which then builds confidence, social skills, friendships and self-worth.”
Andy Sloan, Head of Fundraising, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, said: “OCS have helped fund vital respite breaks for bereaved military children and their families. These give them the space and time to reconnect, to be able to talk about the parent who died and crucially to strengthen the family bonds which is well researched as having the biggest impact on mitigating the damaging effects of bereavement on their wellbeing and futures.” The OCS Foundation will continue to support its four charity partners in the year ahead, with fundraising activity already underway across the business.”
