Swansea Bay Business Club smashes £40k charity target for Faith in Families

Epic fundraising challenges

Over the past two years, members of Swansea Bay Business Club have walked the Welsh Three Peaks twice, run the Swansea Half Marathon, cycled 400 miles from Fishguard to London, trekked from Swansea Pier to Port Talbot Pier, and joined the CarTen ride from Cardiff to Tenby. Add in an art auction and a string of fundraising lunches, and the total soared past £50,000.

Generous match funding from Howden, Lloyds Bank and Lloyd & Whyte doubled the impact of key events, turning every pound raised into vital support for families across Swansea Bay.

“Families who felt unseen have found confidence”

Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija said the partnership has been life‑changing:

“This partnership has shown exactly what can happen when a business community chooses to stand with children who need support the most. Families who felt overwhelmed have found stability. Children who felt unseen have found confidence and connection.”

She added:

“The need in Swansea Bay is rising, and partnerships like this are vital. We cannot thank Swansea Bay Business Club enough for their commitment.”

Business leaders step up

Behind the fundraising drive was Club President Amy Seppman, Marketing Director at JCP Solicitors.

“Choosing Faith in Families was one of the easiest decisions I ever made,” she said. “The stories I heard and the impact I saw reinforced to me why community matters.

“Our members rose to every challenge with generosity and spirit. This partnership has shown that when we support local families, we strengthen the whole region.”

Where the money goes

The £54,640 raised will fund Faith in Families’ Community Cwtches and Multibank, providing hot meals, parent and toddler groups, therapies, and essentials like warm clothes, school uniforms and bedding. It will also support the Brighter Futures Project, offering one‑to‑one interventions for children coping with trauma and strong emotions.

Call for more businesses to join in

Faith in Families is now urging other companies to carry the momentum forward into 2026 and beyond, through employee fundraising, volunteering, sponsorships and CSR partnerships.

“When businesses back their community, they transform it,” said Cherrie Bija.

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Grassroots rugby clubs invited to show their pride in nationwide kit giveaway

The Show Us Your Team Pride campaign, which runs until 4 August, invites grassroots teams of all sizes and age groups to showcase their spirit by posting a photo or video on social media. Entries must tag @howdeninsurancelocaluk, use the hashtag #ShowUsYourTeamPride, and include three tagged team members to qualify.

Winners will receive 30 full Canterbury rugby kits, including shirts, shorts and socks — giving clubs a chance to start the new season looking and feeling like champions.

Craig Warburton, Branch Manager at Howden Maidenhead, said:

“Rugby is more than just a game – it’s a community. Through this competition, we want to celebrate the incredible network of grassroots rugby clubs we’re so lucky to have across the UK. These clubs are the heart of the sport, nurturing talent, teamwork, and a love for the game from the ground up.”

The initiative is part of Howden Insurance’s wider commitment to supporting rugby communities, underpinned by its role as a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions. In addition to the kit giveaway, Howden branches are running community boot exchanges and honouring Lions Origin clubs — those that have helped shape the careers of past and present Lions players — with commemorative plaques.

Founded 30 years ago, Howden Insurance has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent brokers, with over 200 branches nationwide. The company says its mission is to use insurance as a “force for good,” supporting both clients and the communities it serves.

For full competition details and entry guidelines, visit www.howdeninsurance.co.uk.

#grassrootsRugby #Howden #kitSponsor #Rugby #ShowUsYourTeamPride

Rugby heroes join Howden in fundraising for local Swansea charity

The event, on July 2, saw 100 guests gather to watch the Lions’ victory over the Queensland Reds, a triumph made all the sweeter for the local crowd by Ospreys star, Jac Morgan, taking centre stage and being named Man of the Match in Australia. Guests at the event were joined by multiple Wales and Lions rugby heroes including Shane Williams, Dafydd James, Glenn Webb, Craig Quinell, Rhodri Jones and Iestyn Hopkins.

The event raised over £2,500 for Joseph’s Smile through a raffle and a hotly contested auction for a British & Irish Lions shirt signed by Gareth Edwards, which one generous bidder took home for £400.

Joseph’s Smile provides grants to children to access lifesaving or life-changing medical treatment or equipment that’s currently not available to them on the NHS, as well as raising awareness, support and research for childhood cancer. Since its founding in 2022 in memory of Joseph Yeandle, the charity has provided £167,154 in funding for children to access lifesaving or lifechanging medical treatment or equipment.

Howden also took the opportunity to present Ospreys CEO, Lance Bradley, with their Lions Origin plaque in recognition of the Ospreys players who have represented the British & Irish Lions. The list included an awe-inspiring 21 rugby players, including Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones.

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, said: “We had a fantastic day welcoming our Swansea community to watch the victorious British & Irish Lions, which was topped off by raising an incredible amount for Joseph’s Smile.

“The charity is one close to all our hearts. Their work is truly life-changing for so many families, and we are incredibly proud to be supporting them in any way we can.”

Catherine Robinson, Associate Director at Howden added: “It was an additional honour to present the Ospreys’ CEO Lance Bradley with their Lions Origin plaque, and especially to see the Ospreys’ own Jac Morgan doing such a fantastic job representing Wales out in Australia.”

Emma Rees from Joseph’s Smile said: “We are so grateful to Howden for their ongoing support. This event alone will have an incredible impact on the support we are able to provide, and we are blown away by the generosity.

“Our aim is to provide lifesaving support for families who need to access medical treatment and equipment that is not available via the NHS. By giving them access to additional funding it is our hope that rather than spending precious time fundraising, families will be able to spend more quality time together. With the funds raised today we are one step closer to helping a family in need.”

[Lead image: Howdens Insurance]

#BritishIrishLions #Howden #JosephSSmile #LanceBradley #Ospreys

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