VocaLink, an international payments company with offices in Rickmansworth, chose to support Watford Mencap with a Dress Down Day on 22 June to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

Staff arrived at work in casual clothing instead of being suited and booted as usual and paid £2.00 each for the privilege. The day raise over £522.50 and VocaLink doubled this amount with match funding to make a grand total of £1045.00.

VocaLink employees Ben Feetham and Harry Lemon organised the day and Harry commented ‘Dress down days are very popular and our staff see this as an excellent way to raise funds for our partner local charity Watford Mencap .’ VocaLink were also keen to promote their volunteering scheme too. Watford Mencap set up ‘shop’ in the VocaLink cafe, with a display of all their services plus pictures of previous volunteering by VocaLink staff; painting at Thorpedale Residential Home and gardening at Berrywood Residential home. Many employees showed a keen interest in volunteering. Some agreed to take advantage of the offer of having one day a year each to volunteer without losing holiday entitlement and were delighted to be able to have this opportunity to give something back to the local community.

Collection buckets were placed around the café and the catering staff encouraged people to contribute by putting money in the buckets or by going to the Watford Mencap Stand and purchasing raffle tickets. There were over 10 prizes in the draw with the main prize being a bumper size hamper full of chocolate items from Thorntons.

 

If your company is interested in supporting Watford Mencap, please contact Liz Hizli on 01923 713622