Re-Gen raises funds in Cancer Focus charity challenge

Newry based waste management company Re-Gen was among 13 businesses that took part in this year's Business in the Community (BITC) Charity Shop Challenge on 29 May, raising funds for Cancer Focus NI.

Re-Gen, which employs over 400 people across its two sites in Newry, took over the Cancer Focus NI shop in Banbridge for the day. To drive footfall, the team organised live music, bucket collections, a bun sale and three prize raffles. Raffle prizes were supported by local businesses, with Mourne Hydraulics donating a £100 voucher and AJG Gallaghers contributing £200 in vouchers.

In the run-up to the takeover, the team also launched a JustGiving page, held a staff coffee morning, ran a staff raffle offering a £100 Amazon voucher, and organised an in-office pool tournament.

Celine Doherty, Commercial Director at Re-Gen, said: "Taking part in this year's BITC Charity Shop Challenge has been an incredibly rewarding experience for the team. Not only did it allow us to support Cancer Focus NI, but it gave our colleagues the opportunity to come together and have a quality teambuilding experience outside of the office. The team fully embraced the challenge, demonstrating how supporting good causes is rooted in the culture of our business, having donated £1 million to local charities to date."

Now in its 13th year, the BITC Charity Shop Challenge has raised over £450,000 for charities in Northern Ireland since its launch in 2011. BITC has supported businesses and communities in Northern Ireland for more than 35 years, helping organisations develop a responsible approach towards their people, the planet and the places where they operate.

Lauren Cunningham, Community Engagement Manager at BITC, said: "Our Charity Shop Challenge continues to demonstrate the positive impact that can be achieved when businesses engage with their communities. Each year, we see participating teams fully immerse themselves in the experience, and since its launch in 2011, members have helped us raise over £450,000 for charities across Northern Ireland. We are delighted to have had Re-Gen participate this year, its commitment aligns with our goal of influencing change across key societal and environmental issues."

Re-Gen's mission is to decarbonise the environment by diverting waste from landfill and maximising the value of household waste. Revenue has grown at the company from £30m to around £100m over the last five years, following continued investment in carbon reduction technology.