When Active Financial Services began in 2000, we didn’t really talk about “corporate social responsibility”, in those days – we just helped where we could.
Sometimes that meant donating hanging baskets for Guisborough town’s Britain in Bloom entry or rolling our sleeves up and getting hands on at local charity events. Back then, it was Zoe’s Place Hospice, Daisychain and other brilliant local charities that received support from us.
But things went up a gear in 2012.
That’s when our directors were approached by Andy Preston, who’d just launched a new charity, the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation (now The Teesside Charity), we didn’t hesitate! We got involved as patrons, and suddenly giving back wasn’t just something we did ‘now and then’; it became part of who we are.
Fast forward to today, and our team has raised over £120,000 for good causes. We’ve climbed mountains (literally), cycled across the country, slept rough in car parks, and taken festive dips in freezing seas. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Here are just a few of the things we’ve taken on over the years:
- Coast to Coast ride in 2015 – a real team effort
- The Scafell Pike challenge in 2016 – tough but worth every step
- Karl Pemberton’s epic Kilimanjaro climb in 2018 for Mind
- Football to Amsterdam rides, more than once!
- Night rides to Blackpool, long-distance cycles across the UK, and more
sore legs than we can count - The Big Sleep Out and Little Sleep Out in 2022 – shoutout to Rach, Laura
and Jess! - The “Walk into the Light” campaign, from 2022 right up to now
- And a very chilly Boxing Day Dip in 2024 for the Headlight Project
- And in April 2025, Louise completing the London Marathon for The Teesside Charity
But not everything we do involves Lycra or hiking boots.
Sometimes lending a helping hand is what’s needed. Whether it’s building hampers at Christmas, joining local clean-ups, helping out at food banks, or bringing a bit of joy to care home residents through Wag & Co, our team is always finding ways to give back.
We even introduced a volunteering policy in 2023 to make sure everyone at Active has the time and support to do just that.
Some of the quieter efforts deserve just as much spotlight too. Paul sits on the Thornaby Town Deal Board, helping shape change in our community and he’s also a school governor. Liza supports a young ambassador through the Power of Women charity, and Jessica and Connie are big supporters of Maxi’s Mates dog rescue. And let’s not forget Karen, who’s been helping out at the Billingham Food Bank.
And of course, there was Karl’s trip to Ukraine in 2024, delivering aid and raising a staggering £21,000, with his friend Mike. That one meant a lot to us all.
The truth is, none of this is about the numbers; it’s about the people, the communities, and doing what we can with what we have.
So, as we celebrate 25 years of Active, we’re proud of the milestones, the growth and the team. But we’re just as proud of every mile walked, every pound raised and every small moment of kindness along the way.
Here’s to doing even more of that in the years to come.
Would you like to find out more about Active Chartered Financial Planners or speak to a financial planner? Contact the team on 01642 765957 or email info@activefp.co.uk OR visit the website
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