Brightwork staff wrap up their own Christmas present for Barnardos' vulnerable young people

Big-hearted staff at Scottish recruitment specialist the Brightwork Group have brightened up Christmas for vulnerable young people across the UK with a fantastic festive gesture of corporate goodwill.
 
The 38 employees at the group, which is based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, took a collective decision that, instead of organising Secret Santas or buying gifts for each other as usual, they would instead look out for people who were less fortunate than themselves.
 
So they pooled their resources and contributed gift vouchers for the Barnardos Christmas appeal. Glasgow raised a splendid £465 and Edinburgh contributed £375, making a grand total of £840.
 
The company, headed by group managing director Anthony Knight and group chief operating officer Charles Turner, pitched in with a matching contribution, bringing the total donation for young people in need to an outstanding £1680.
 
Mr Knight who, with Mr Turner, created the company out of an MBO from a multi-national recruitment company in 2006, said: "This is a heart-warming, but very practical, demonstration of what corporate social responsibility is all about.
 
"We have a great team of people at Brightwork who work hard and are well-rewarded. But this gesture illustrates that they are also very conscious of the wider society in which we operate.
 
"By helping Barnardos, our staff are helping transform the lives of vulnerable children across the UK and contributing to its campaigns to bring out the best in every child."
 
Mr Turner said: "This initiative was entirely driven by the staff in our two main offices and it shows an encouraging willingness to share the benefits of a good working environment across the wider community."
 
Brightwork, which has just has marked its fifth year in business with record turnover and profits and a new boost in job numbers as it reels in major new clients, has always prided itself on good employee relations.
 
Every December, the company, which posted sales of £24m this year, takes its staff away for a fun-filled, all expenses paid weekend break. In 2007, they went to Madrid, in 2008 to Dublin, in 2009 to Glasgow, because of the recession, and last year to Barcelona.
 
This year they will be jetting off to Prague, from the 9th to the 11th of December.
 
Mr Turner added: "We work hard and well as a team and it is only right that we share the rewards as a team. We are looking forward to a great time in Prague and it is good to know that Christmas will also be a little brighter for someone in Barnardos."