Cheyne Capital brings Paddington Bear to Dublin!
Alice Arron, Chair of Cheyne Capital’s Culture Committee, chats with students from St. Vincent’s National School, D1.
In what is possibly our most creative volunteering experience to date, Premier Patrons Cheyne Capital and their global team, displayed imagination, creativity and heart with their Paddington Bear, Marmalade, Mayhem and Madness, Zoom Ahead with Books campaign.
Collaboration at it’s best, this initiative between Cheyne Capital, basis.point and ELI, has made a real and lasting impression on the young students from 2 DEIS schools in inner-city Dublin.
It all started when Sean Boland introduced Cheyne to basis.point in 2023. Cheyne recognised the potential to collaborate with industry colleagues and amplify the impact of their giving. And what an incredible partnership it has been!
Alice Arron from Cheyne worked alongside Cathy Steenson, Manager of the Zoom Ahead with Books programme, and Sharon Lett, volunteer coordinator at basis.point, to design a blended volunteering opportunity that benefited young students but also engaged global offices and captured the spirit of Cheyne Capital.
Alistair Perry MD Australia, joins the classroom from Sydney.
Planning for this started back in October, when Paddington Bear and reading books were parcelled up and delivered to the participating schools.
With the uniquely British yet universally loved Paddington Bear as their reading ambassador, Cheyne Capital volunteers then recorded themselves reading the same Paddington Bear story books and their creativity and enthusiasm really brought the books to life.
In fact Paddington Bear didn’t just stop in Dublin; he also made creative appearances at iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace in London and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney.
Each student was given a book and listened to a video recording of the story in the classroom. They then took turns in bringing Paddington Bear home with them and were encouraged to read their story books again at home.
The magic happened when the volunteers joined the classroom, via video link from London and Sydney. They chatted with the students about the story, but they did much more than that. By bringing Paddington Bear to Buckingham Palace, to Sydney Harbour, the kids were given a virtual experience they won’t forget!
What a wonderful way to ignite imagination, inspire young minds, and share a love for reading.
A heartfelt thank you to all the Cheyne volunteers—Stars, one and all!
We would be delighted to explore other creative volunteering experiences with our Prestige and Premier Patrons. Please contact Sharon Lett at basis.point or talk to Edel O’Malley if you would like to upgrade your patronage in order to tailor a volunteering activity for your team.
Curtain call for our talented group of readers Alastair Perry, Donna Phlora, Kerry Hugh Jones, Sean Boland, Alice Arron, Anthony Robertson, Dan Magee, Rachel Onwude.
