Charity Challenge is a world-wide program which has been running since 1989 to support and encourage all employee-driven charitable activities across BAE Systems.

It formally began as a development tool for apprentices and graduates to provide them with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in communication, teamwork, networking, negotiation, leadership and project management. Charity Challenge quickly became very popular, so much so that everyone wanted to join in the fun. Since 1993 everyone working for BAE Systems and its joint ventures has been welcome and encouraged to get involved and benefit from the experiences it offers.

Today Charity Challenge is huge! People participate from sites all over the world, including the United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Each campaign now lasts 18 months and for that period countries chose a partner charity. The last campaign raised a staggering £8 million and over 10,500 volunteer days were amassed world wide! Each campaign we always aim to become bigger and better and beat the last year's targets, but we need you! If you want to help, contact your local and friendly site coordinator to discover what they're currently doing and how you can help.

Charity Challenge supports employees raising funds or donating time for all charities including the Charity Challenge Partner Charities. Employees - don't forget to let your local coordinators know of any thing you do, as they can help promote your events and your efforts count towards your site's totals too.

Here are some examples of what they do:

Fundraising - Your local Charity Challenge team supports the charities that you are interested in - as well as the partner charities that you have voted for. It isn't just rattling tins either; events like sponsored abseils and bowling nights are a great way of raising money. Also, if you are involved in any type of fundraising or volunteering activities make sure you register your events with your local Charity Challenge team and your efforts will be counted toward our overall totals.

Involvement Days - These are a great way of developing yourself and your team while also having loads of fun and helping out a good cause. Involvement opportunities range from gardening and DIY projects through to professional advice, it training and drama workshops. It also helps to raise money because if you volunteer your time to help a project for one of our partnership charities, then the company will donate £50 in the UK, $100 in Australia and $100 in the US for each 7 hour day you give. Contact your local Charity Challenge team to participate!

Events - There are events happening all year round at Charity Challenge. For individuals there's everything from climbing mountains like Kilimanjaro and running across the Sahara to team events like the peddle kart grand prix and It's a Knockout. For those preferring a slower pace there are events like the Keswick to Barrow walk and the 3 Peaks Challenge. There really is something for everyone and if there isn't why not talk to your local coordinator and have a go at organising it!

If you would like more information about Charity Challenge - contact your local Charity Challenge team, or get in touch with the Campaign Leader:

Caroline Hanmer
Email: caroline.hanmer@baesystems.com
Ph: +44 1252 383 236