Launching 3 years ago the corporate sports events with a charitable impact set out with a clear mission to create a positive impact on society. Through encouraging corporate social responsibility amongst clients as well as creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere where professionals make connections with like-minded people, the events have now reached a significant milestone.

Business Fives recognises the important role businesses play in shaping and supporting local communities. Through engaging with likeminded businesses that share their values and offering them an innovative and engaging way to connect with their local communities, Business Fives have presented businesses with a way of encouraging a fit and active lifestyle for their employees. This is purpose driven with charity being at the forefront, helping to promote the agenda of CSR across the UK’s business community.

The list of charities benefitting from the events is ever growing and expanding as the events stretch out across the whole of the UK, with dedicated national business tournaments in both England and Scotland.  Major benefactors have included MacMillan, Marie Curie, MND Scotland, Maggie’s and many more.  Morag McGown, Corporate Partnerships Manager from MND Scotland said;

“The Business Fours golf tournament is a fantastic event and we’re delighted that the team at Riddle & Coghill won this donation for us, adding to an incredible fundraising total.

This money will allow MND Scotland to continue supporting people affected by Motor Neurone Disease across Scotland, and fund vital research into a cure for this devastating illness.”

Joyce Ross, Beatson Cancer Charity’s Corporate Partnerships Manager, said: “We are so grateful to be nominated as the beneficiary for this fantastic initiative.

“What a great idea to bring businesses together, while also supporting a charity. The money raised will allow Beatson Cancer Charity to continue supporting many patients and families facing cancer across the west of Scotland. Thank you and the best of luck for the rest of the tournament!”   

Business Fives believes in investing in the future of the workforce and for the last 3 years have supported the Santander Internship scheme by offering university students a paid internship at the company. Students from different universities have gained vital experience to add to their CV, learning valuable skills for the work environment and also offering a chance of full-time employment.

With hindsight, progress of achieving the £100,000 mark was relatively slow in the first year in comparison with the following two years. The catalyst for this was, the decision taken to change the charity model to empower clients to dictate which chosen cause to raise awareness of with 90% being donated over the past 2 years through the events.

The events have adopted a more sustainable approach to reduce their environmental impact switching to refillable water bottles to limit the distribution of single use plastics with over 10,000 having been handed out through the events. With over 8,220 goals scored in 1,896 matches across 57 events supported by over 800 companies, it’s fair to say the events have created a big impact both on and off the pitch.

Business Fives Managing Director, John McClarey said “We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone ahead of schedule and we’re delighted that our clients continue to derive value from the events well as create a positive impact on the communities they operate in. “

The landmark was reached at the Sunderland Event, one of 15 events throughout the UK this summer, with the companies their collectively raising over £2,000.

This summer season continues the expansion of Business Fives to England which takes in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Hull and Sheffield. Then returning to Leeds for the first ever English national final on Friday, October 4^th. There are just two qualifying events left in Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh, ahead of the national final in the Capital on Friday, September 27^th.

Everyone at Business Fives past and present is immensely proud in the role that they have played in helping reach this incredible figure and are thankful to the businesses that chose to help them along the way.