From midnight walks to world championships, Envest businesses are wrapping up a year of meaningful community impact. Through Ardonagh Charitable Trust’s (ACT) funding programs, our people continue to find ways to connect business successes with opportunities for giving back. Here are some recent achievements that showcase the spirit of our group.
EDA Team's Midnight Mission for UNICEF
Fresh from celebrating Club 4X4's $100M GWP milestone, the EDA leadership team completed UNICEF Australia's Dusk to Dawn challenge—a 37km overnight walk across Sydney. Starting in North Sydney at 8pm and finishing at sunrise in Bondi, the team pushed through the darkness—a metaphor for the journey of the vulnerable children UNICEF supports worldwide. Through ACT's match funding program, they were able to raise a total of $18,500, providing life-saving therapeutic food for children facing malnutrition globally.
World-Class Achievement: From Insurance to International Sports
Monica Bezuidenhout from ATL Insurance Group blazed a trail at the World Kettlebell Championships in Corfu, securing a remarkable 8 medals: 4 Individual Gold; 2 Individual Silver; 2 Team Relay Gold; Plus, 2 Team Trophies! But Monica didn't stop there—she followed this incredible performance with a Bronze medal at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast! As an athlete in this self-funded sport, Monica dedicates over 10 hours weekly to training, not only honing her own skills but also supporting fellow team members and athletes.
Her remarkable journey, supported by ACT's match funding program, demonstrates our company’s commitment to nurturing talent both inside and outside the workplace and the importance of sport in our communities.
Steps for Service: Flying Doctors Funding Takes Flight
Aviso WA's Emma Bryant walked 50km over 31 days for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which helps one Australian every two minutes in regions where the nearest hospital can be eight hours away. With Aviso WA's $500 donation boosted by ACT's £900 contribution, Emma's total $2,537 fundraising will provide 63 laryngoscopes for patient care, 40 life-saving medical chests for remote communities, and 36 defibrillator pads, helping keep the Flying Doctor in the air.
Backpacks 4 VIC Kids: Creating Lasting Impact
The partnership between Aviso Specialty VIC (formerly Fitz & Co) and Backpacks 4 VIC Kids (BP4VK) received an ACT Community Grant of £5,000 to help provide essential items to children entering emergency care, often with just the clothes they're wearing. This funding will provide 79 Essentials Packs and sponsor 188 Youth Outreach Packs for those sleeping rough, while also supporting a Guinness World Record attempt to procure 4,000 backpacks and duffle bags. The funding will also contribute to the establishment of a ‘tiny site'—a specially fitted-out shipping container that allows emergency organisations quick access to essential packs in regional areas.
Aviso Specialty's commitment to the cause runs deep, with 10 staff members volunteering monthly at the BP4VK, packing packs and Christmas sacks. At Christmas, the impact is particularly evident, helping ensure children entering emergency care receive essential items including toiletries, clothing, books, toys, and comfort items like blankets and soft toys.
These initiatives were made possible through the incredible actions of our people and ACT's support programs, including:
- Community Grant Programme (up to £5,000)
- Match Funding (up to £500 per person annually)
- Volunteering paid leave
- Bright Future Prize
- Charity Partnerships, including MSF
For more information: www.ardonaghtrust.org. Follow us on LinkedIn.
