A Chorley business group has literally made wishes come true for its member charity the HoneyRose Foundation.
BNI Endeavour is part of the world’s biggest referral organisation, Business Network International. Established over 30 years with 200,000 members in over 70 countries worldwide, it works by organising weekly networking meetings for groups of businesses.
Groups, known as chapters, use their combined network of contacts to find business opportunities and referrals for one another, to a specific brief that members outline at every meeting in a process known as “60 Seconds”.
HoneyRose Foundation provides the last wishes of terminally ill adults in the northwest. The charity joined BNI Endeavour in order to engage with local businesses as part of its fundraising efforts.
Ron Hutchinson, Fundraising Manager for HoneyRose Foundation, who is the charity’s representative in the group, said: “At a recent Endeavour meeting I mentioned in my 60 seconds that many terminal wishes are usually very humble, such as a last family holiday or a weekend where a proposal was made many years ago, and how difficult it was to get accommodation during August with everyone and their children on holiday.
“So my ideal referral was any generous, compassionate person who could assist. Incredibly, after that meeting I was approached by members offering caravan motor homes, luxury lodges and cottages, even a one hour flight in a private plane across Lancashire. In the days following all these potential wishes were confirmed.
“I was really touched by the efforts of the chapter members, but what was amazing from a BNI status is that nobody actually owned what was offered, they just used their contacts.”
Pictured are Martin Newton of City Invest who arranged a race day experience with an ex world motorbike racing champion plus two superbike event pit passes.
Lisa Turner of RTP Films referred a friend who provided access to two holiday cottages in the Lakes.
Joseph Ormond of Salvador Health arranged a wish of a one hour flight from Blackpool over Lancashire.
BNI Endeavour meets weekly at Shaw Hill Golf Club, Chorley. BNI in Lancashire offers a seat in each group to one charity and the members commit to raising at least £20,000 a year for it.
Chapter President Martin Newton, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of our group in helping make these wishes come true. It just shows the real power of BNI is not just who is in the room but who those people know.”
