Argos corporate news

Argos runs rings around its regions in aid of Whizz-Kidz

04 August 2004

Argos staff are getting ready to set off on an Olympic tour of their region on August 9 aiming to raise over £60,000 for Whizz-Kidz, a national children’s charity.

Tying into the Olympic Games that launches on August 13, the fundraising relay-style event will see Argos staff challenged with moving Olympic rings and flags across their regions.

The challenge will take staff through all the Argos stores, distribution centres or offices in their region, as they pass the ring and flag to the next location en route in the funniest and craziest way possible.

And it’s going to be raising money the wacky way! Whether they move the ring across the water by jet-ski, parachute it to the next location, or take it on a tank down the high street, they will be raising vital funds to give disabled children and teenagers across the country freedom of movement. As the theme of the Argos Olympics is all about movement, it highlights how important it is to everyone.

Whizz-Kidz chief executive, Ruth Owen, says: “The enthusiasm and support from Argos staff has been fantastic and we can’t thank them enough. The money raised will literally change the lives of so many young disabled people giving them independent mobility often for the first time ever, so they can fully enjoy and participate in life at home, school and play.”

Managing director for Argos, Sara Weller, added: “We are delighted to be able to support Whizz-Kidz with this event. Staff across the business have always been very dedicated to the charity and we know that this fundraiser will be a real challenge!”

At the end of the event, which will take between four and five weeks, the five regional rings and flags will be brought together at Argos’ head office in Milton Keynes to form the Argos Olympics ring.

Argos has so far raised nearly £400,000 for Whizz-Kidz, its charity of the year, since the partnership began in 2003.