AFPA Trust BIG Clays raises £9,600 for charity

The AFPA Trust’s BIG Clays charity event brought together professionals from the asset finance and leasing sectors in a unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and charitable giving. Held at Clays in the City, this inaugural event saw 15 teams taking aim at clays across a digital screen, participating in a friendly yet fierce contest to secure top spots and substantial donations for their chosen charities. Amid food, drink, and great company, the event was a major success, raising a total of £9,600 for charity.

The podium winners

After an evening of skilful shooting and team spirit, Paragon Bank claimed the gold, Investec took silver, and LTi Technology Solutions secured bronze, each team donating their winnings to causes close to their hearts.

1. Gold – Paragon Bank: Winning £5,000 with an additional £1,000 AFPA Trust Gold Charity Partner bonus, Paragon dedicated their £6,000 prize to Guide Dogs UK, supporting the training of guide dogs and providing life-changing assistance for those with visual impairments.
2. Silver – Investec: Securing £2,000 plus a £400 Charity Partner bonus, Team Investec directed their £2,400 prize to Cystic Fibrosis Trust, contributing to research and support for individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis.
3. Bronze – LTi Technology Solutions: Earning £1,000 and a £200 Charity Partner bonus, LTi Technology Solutions donated £1,200 to Pem Friends, a small charity dedicated to supporting individuals with pemphigus and pemphigoid, two rare autoimmune disorders.

Celebrating the winners and their impact

Robert Taylor, Chair of the AFPA Trust, expressed immense gratitude to the teams and individuals who supported the event. Reflecting on the night’s impact, he remarked, “It was an amazing night of fun, networking, fine shooting, and £9,600 donated to three great charities.”

The competitive spirit was high, and Paragon Bank’s team, led by Head of Specialist Sales – SME Lending, Matt Bass, made a memorable impact, winning both the BIG Quiz earlier in the year and the BIG Clays, raising a combined £17,000 for their chosen charities in 2024 alone.

Bass praised the event’s format and the cause it supported, stating, “It was a fantastic event, and we can’t thank AFPA enough for organising an evening that enables us to network with the wider asset finance and leasing industry, as well as raise money for important causes.”

Dedication to charitable causes

Each winner shared a personal connection to their charity of choice. LTi Technology Solutions’ Rob Frankow, who was diagnosed with pemphigus in 2021, emphasized the importance of the work Pem Friends does in providing community support and advocacy for those with rare autoimmune diseases.

The Investec team expressed similar gratitude, celebrating their chance to give back. “We were delighted to have achieved second place and absolutely thrilled to secure a donation to the CF Trust,” the team shared, highlighting the importance of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s work in the lives of those affected by this challenging condition.

A community effort of remarkable teams

The event drew support from a roster of industry leaders, including Acquis, ALFA, Allica Bank, Catfoss, CGI, Compass Business Finance, Investec, LTi Technology Solutions, Metro Bank, NETSOL, Odessa, Paragon Bank, and VitrX. The collective participation of these companies underscored the asset finance community’s commitment to supporting causes that matter.

For those eager to be part of the AFPA Trust’s next initiative, the upcoming AFPA Trust Members Christmas Drinks Networking Event is set for December 4, 2024, at Langan’s Private Members Club.