Why Howden uses insurance as a force for good

One thing you won’t stop hearing from us is how passionate we are about the communities we serve. Why? Because when we say we care about our clients, we mean it on every level.

From helping you sort your cover, with one of our expert insurance advisors, to helping your community thrive through donation stations, local sponsorships, and events for all ages. Not only can you keep driving your car, but youth football teams can keep training, community bowls clubs can keep playing, and the causes that matter to you can keep growing.

At Howden, we’re making insurance the powerful force for good we know it can be. We take a no-limits approach to everything we do. And while we’re committed to giving back to our clients all year round, May was a month where we took things up a notch!

We’re doing more for ’24, raising money for all kinds of charities; local health services, community food banks, sports teams and more. Take a look at how our Howden team have helped.

Which branch triumphed at our five-a-side tournament?

Howden colleagues Alex Millar and Darren Jones organised for 96 people in 13 teams to take part in our league. Although all the teams took it seriously, in the spirit of One Howden, there were amazing shows of sportsmanship and ability.

Swindon were ultimately crowned victorious, winning nine games out of the 10 played and only conceding three goals in total throughout the tournament. Though special mention should be given to the St Alban’s team, who beat the eventual winners in the final match.

So far, more than £1,200 has been raised!

Lions Legends roar onto the pitch

Hosting our first Big Rugby Day Out in Oxford gave us a chance to not only recognise the brilliant Lions Origin clubs that have helped produce Lions players over the years, but to champion grassroots rugby in a new way.

Hundreds of children and parents from the local Lions Origin rugby clubs gathered in the glorious sunshine for a thrilling day of coaching and fun. They also had the opportunity to meet some Lions legends and hear about what it’s like to play at the highest level of the sport.

A special thanks to our ambassadors Maggie Alphonsi MBE, Jason Robinson OBE, Gavin Hastings OBE – and special guest for the day, former Lion Tyrone Howe – for the lively panel talks, fielding questions and offering up some top skills tips to budding young players!

Supporting vital community services

After a prolonged cost-of-living crisis, it’s never been more important to support the services within our communities that act as a lifeline for those in need. At Farnham Town FC, our local team hosted a quiz and curry night, to raise funds for Brightwells Gostrey; a community meal delivery service for local elderly residents. Volunteers deliver the meals, and also run the day centre for those who need additional services.

The winning quiz team

In the last two years, the centre has had its funding cut by £70,000, and they are in need of all the assistance possible to continue. Together Chris Biggs, Farnham Branch Manager, the team, and the local community were able to raise £2,600 on the night, and their fundraising efforts continue.

In Winchester, our local branch is supporting the incredible work carried out by the Winchester Basics Bank, by launching a donation station in branch for colleagues, clients and members of the local community to give generously, which will be delivered to those in need.

Winchester Basics Bank works tirelessly to support locals experiencing unexpected difficulties, by providing them with essential non-perishable food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies. The team are delighted with how, together, people have made difference in the Winchester community!

Celebrating loved ones

At Howden Alton, our colleague James Brown went above and beyond to host a memorial football match for his father Steve at Alton FC, to support crucial research and medical equipment to prevent premature Sudden Arrhythmic Death.

James’ father died unexpectedly in December last year and losing him was a great shock. But for his family, who always try to focus on the positive, they knew how to celebrate his life and channel their energy into supporting an important cause.

Through the memorial match, raffle and refreshments, James and his family have been able to raise over £2,500 for SADS UK – a leading provider of medical information relating to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome that works to research conditions that can cause SADS, provided counselling for families impacted, and, increase awareness.

Helping local health services

Running season is well underway, and many Howden team members have been racing for important causes. In Birmingham, Amie Gardner, Beth Rosser and Matt Homer completed the AJ Bell Great Run in Birmingham, running 13.1 miles to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

It was a hot day for a run but the trio ran well, and completed the race. Together, they’ve raised over £800, with donations still coming in and an indoor football night still to come.

At Howden Chichester, the team hand delivered a customised toy Lamborghini to the Pediatric Ward at My University Hospitals Sussex. The Pediatric team hope it will help little ones as they wait for appointments, and take a fun journey to their procedure, to help distract from any nerves!

Volunteering across the country

The aim of our GGGM is for us to harness our collective power and give back to our communities. So, our colleagues in London and Bristol worked with a number of organisations to serve as a force for good for as many causes as we could!

This included, working with charity Hubbub to remove harmful plastic waste from our local rivers, assisting food bank charity FareShare UK with packing and delivering food, and carrying out maintenance and gardening work at St Werburghs City Farm. To everyone who took part – thank you for making a positive impact on our local communities.

Doing more for ‘24

These are just a few highlights from last month, and we’re not stopping there! We’re continuing to do more throughout 2024, across all our local high street branches, and beyond.

And now, we’re also delighted to launch our new charity partner, Maggie’s. Founded in 1996, Maggie Keswick Jencks used her own experience of having cancer to create a new type of cancer care. Now, Maggie’s provides free financial and emotional support to anyone with cancer and their friends and families at the 24 centres located across the UK. 

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive at Maggie’s, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Howden to be their new UK charity partner.

“People with cancer have never faced tougher challenges – a record number of people are waiting longer than ever for cancer treatment, and for many, the cost-of-living crisis is even overshadowing the difficulties of living with cancer. This is why the demand for our support is growing every day.

“Our partnership with Howden will help Maggie’s offer practical and emotional support to thousands of people with cancer and their families across the UK. We’re also looking forward to working together to challenge the insurance industry to provide the best possible service to people living with cancer.”

So keep an eye out for more exciting events and initiatives to get involved with at your local branch, and in your community with Howden. Take a look at our events page, to find out what’s on near you!