UNISON "there for you" Pyrenean Charity Challenge

"Members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties can contact our welfare charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependants".

UNISON "There for You" is something that many of its members are unaware of but is something that I am so proud of my union for providing. Most trade unions do not have anything like this.

In 2016 following my re-election to the UNISON NEC, I was nominated to serve as a Trustee of "There for You".

While in the past I have managed to get important individual grants from the charity to help members I was unaware of all the help and support it offers to members going through tough times. 

While workplace representation, campaigning and collective bargaining is the meat and drink of our movement, we should never forget that trade unions are basically about working class people banding together to look after each other.   

There are many reasons for joining a trade union but I think gaining the protection of "There for you" is absolutely compelling especially for the low paid but who knows when you might need help and assistance if you lose your job or are ill.  

Two of my fellow UNISON "There for You" trustees, Karen Worsley and Andy Douglas (seen above with our Chair of Trustees, Maureen le Marinel) are attempting to walk 40k across the Catalan Pyrenees 15-19 May in aid of the charity. 

If you want to sponsor them you can donate here on justgiving for Karen  or via this link for Andy

UNISON Pyrenean Challenge 2016 - "there for you"

To All Branches

Dear Colleague

UNISON There for You:  Charity Challenge Events

I’m delighted to report that this year, £23,000 was collected for Unison’s very own charity by those who took part in the ‘Four Nations Charity Challenge’.  So huge thanks to everyone who helped our brave walkers reach their fundraising target 

Plans are already in place for 2016’s challenge which will see us return to France for a fabulous walk in the Pyrenees - we’re aiming to raise even more money! 

This is where we need your help

We need a minimum of 20 participants to ensure the event goes ahead so we’re looking for you to help with:  

1.    Raising awareness by circulating information amongst your members and anything else that might inspire them to take part

2.    Demonstrating  your support for anyone ready to take on the challenge by perhaps:

Ø  making a donation to help them achieve their fundraising target

Ø  helping wherever possible with local fundraising activities that they may want to organise

What we’re sending you

Included in this email is the following:

3.    Electronic application form

4.    Suggested message for use in branch newsletters, websites, member email – in Word/PDF format

I guarantee that money raised really does ‘make a difference’ to so many members lives!

Thank you in advance.  Any queries please email thereforyou@unison.co.uk or call 020 7121 5620

Julie Grant

Head of UNISON There for You

(I have recently become a UNISON NEC trustee member of our Charity "there for you".  In this short time I am so impressed with the work that "there for you" does for our members who have found themselves in financial difficulty. While I cannot take part in this sponsored event due to a clash, I am thinking of self organising and going on the walk earlier in September while still raising money. Watch this space).