Menzies Distribution will today help launch a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum in Edinburgh, organised by CHILDREN 1st aimed at supporting businesses to deliver CSR objectives.
The event has been set up by Scotland's leading children's charity in response to feedback from companies keen to develop programmes which are inclusive and successful, and Menzies Distribution's involvement comes as the logistics business announces CHILDREN 1st as its charity of the year.
At the forum, Menzies Distribution's Head of Communications Dave Shedden will share his experience of growing the organisation's charitable work from a series of sporadic donations into a sustained year-round programme, which includes a sponsored cycle ride in August for staff including Managing Director, David McIntosh.
Other speakers at the event will include Malcolm Brown, Head of Corporate Communications at ScotMid Co-operative, who will explain how his company's efforts engage all levels of staff; and Paul Donachie, Marketing Communications Manager at Kames Capital, who will talk about his experience of corporate fundraising and volunteering programmes.
CHILDREN 1st Chief Executive Anne Houston said: "We're very grateful to Menzies Distribution for sharing their experiences of CSR with others. It is so valuable for senior executives to learn from others' experiences as it really can influence how successful their own programmes are, and how quickly they can become established.
"We are also delighted to have been chosen as Menzies Distribution's Charity of the Year. They are now officially CHILDREN 1ST Children's Champions and their support in helping vulnerable children and their families will make a real difference."
CHILDREN 1ST is the leading child welfare charity in Scotland. As the RSSPCC, they have more than 128 years' experience working with children, young people and families, and run 46 local services across Scotland as well as four national services including ParentLine Scotland.
Menzies Distribution's year-round commitment to the charity will involve volunteering as well as donations and will culminate in a 'charity week' at the end of August when staff will together complete a cycle ride from Edinburgh to Kent, where Menzies Distribution's new subsidiary business, Orbital Marketing Services, is based.
The CHILDREN 1st CSR Forum will be held at the Hymans Robertson offices in Semple Street, Edinburgh, from midday on Thursday 13th June.