In the build-up to their 20th anniversary celebrations, InXpress global were on a mission. To collectively give back.

The week leading up to the InXpress 20^th anniversary, saw the global InXpress family of franchise owners and country head offices, make a concerted effort to give back to others. This culminated in a celebratory fundraising dinner on Friday 28^th June, hosted by global CEO, Mark Taylor.

The #InXpressGivesBackGlobal week saw head office teams in each Country, franchisees and their staff and, in some cases, even customers, supporting local and national charities. Fundraising activities included:

• InXpress USA donated money toward the treatment of three-year-old Claire. She is the youngest daughter of Melissa Allen, who worked in the InXpress USA support centre prior to investing in her own franchise. Claire was recently diagnosed with leukaemia, which spread to her spinal cord fluid. Claire faces an arduous journey through treatment, over the next three years. Donations have reached almost half of the $10,000 the family needs.
• On Saturday 15^th June, franchisees and support staff of the InXpress Hong Kong community gathered on the beach in Lau Fau Shan, armed with bin bags and an urge to give back to the local community. For three hours, they combed the shoreline picking up rubbish. Sam Orders, InXpress HK country manager said, “Recently, there has been much discussion about the damage plastic is doing to our seas and oceans. As we cleared up plastic bottles, rope and plastic bags, we witnessed this first-hand. It was great to be with the team who happily give up time on a Saturday, to make a difference to one beach in Hong Kong.”
• InXpress South Africa spent a week working with the Little Fighters cancer trust. This charity supports families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer, from the poorest areas of the community. They collected clothes, essential items like soap and toothpaste, as well as toys and treats for the children, and helped to package the items into gift boxes ready for distribution.
• InXpress Australia donated some much needed items, like food and blankets, to the RSPCA.
• InXpress UK Head Office collected food for Rochdale FoodBank, and held a MacMillan Coffee morning.

As well as each country giving back on a national level, individual InXpress franchisees were involved in some amazing acts to give back to local charities:

• Ian Harrison, InXpress Hereford, and his team took part in a charity football match, on Saturday 15th June.
• Craig Atkins, InXpress Reading will be taking on the World’s number 1 snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan on July 20^th. Money he is raising is to help with buying a new wheelchair for young Harry. Harry, is a school friend of InXpress Derby & Nottingham owner, Simon Richardson’s stepson, and has cerebral palsy. Donations are just shy of 20% of the £2,000 needed to provide Harry and his family with the lightweight wheelchair of his dreams.

All this led up to the InXpress global celebration of their 20^th anniversary. At a special three course dinner, hosted at Manchester Hall, in the Rooftop Terrace, and attended by InXpress franchisees and support centre staff from around the world, including America, Australia South Africa, Germany, India, France and Vietnam.

More than just a knees-up, the twentieth party, was another opportunity to give back. Mark introduced his one year old daughter MiMi, and explained about her rare illness Bartter Syndrome and the fantastic support of Leeds Children’s hospital. “We want to support Leeds Children’s hospital because of the incredible work they have done for us as a family,” Mark explained at the beginning of the event. “They don’t have enough, in terms of staff and equipment, so we are on a mission – MiMi’s Mission – to raise money for:

• A Band 8A pharmacist
• An ultrasound machine
• AAA system, amino acid machine
• A clinical nurse specialist for nephrotic clinic (Nephrotic syndrome is one of the specialist units biggest disease areas with approx. 200-300—children treated in the region of Yorkshire per year).”

On the night there was an auction of various items, including a signed Manchester United shirt, and dinner for four at James Martin’s restaurant. Thanks to the generosity (and competitiveness) of those involved, we raised over £4,000 for Mimi’s Mission. “I am incredibly proud, and overwhelmed, of the support of the whole network,” Mark said. “It’s an honour to be part of a franchise which cares so much about its family, as well as those in our local communities.”