Rank chief speaks of ‘pride’ after £2m charity success

Rank Group chief executive John O’Reilly has paid tribute to staff members that have helped it raise the benchmark figure of £2m (€2.3m/$2.6m) for a carers charity.

The gaming group, which owns Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, began working with the Carers Trust in February 2014, helping to generate funds for the charity that works with carers across the UK.

Employees working for Rank Group brands have taken part in a number of fund-raising activities over the past few years, helping the firm reach the £2m milestone.

Recently, the senior team at Mecca took part in a ‘Bushtucker Trial Challenge’, where they had to consume a series of unusual dishes featuring various critters.

“Carers Trust is an organisation that is close to the heart of many of our employees and it gives me a great sense of pride to know that collectively we have been able to make such a strong contribution to the charity,” O’Reilly said.

“Our teams have worked extremely hard throughout the course of the year to run charity fundraising activities to help us achieve this impressive milestone and without their dedication and the incredible support from the communities nationwide, such an achievement just wouldn’t have been possible.”

The funds will go towards Rank Cares Grant Funds, which provides financial support to carers aged 16 and above.

During the four years Rank Group has been working with the Carers Trust, funds raised through the initiative have helped more than 9,000 UK carers.

Giles Meyer, chief executive of Carers Trust, said: “We are overwhelmed by the fundraising efforts of Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo. They have gone above and beyond once again and we’re delighted to continue our partnership.

“The reality is that three in five of us will become carers at some point in our lives, and with seven million carers in the UK already, staff’s fundraising plays a crucial part in providing the support carers desperately need.”