Blog. Spotlight on: Fizzy Friends
December 4, 2024 | Author: Guest Blogger
We are incredibly grateful to the countless advocates of our work, those who are always willing to go the extra mile to raise funds and awareness on our behalf. As we receive no government funding, every penny we raise is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our fabulous supporters. Today we shine a spotlight on one such person, HA Ambassador Debrah Dhugga, and the Fizzy Friends fundraising group who have worked tirelessly in aid of HA throughout 2024.
Tell us a little about Fizzy Friends.
Fizzy Friends is a charity group founded in 2015 by a group of business ladies from Newcastle. United by our love for the finer things in life, we are dedicated to raising much-needed funds for Northeast charities. With our passion and drive, Fizzy Friends aims to make a positive impact in our community and support those in need. Our chosen charity for 2024 was Hospitality Action, to help raise as much money as we can to support people working in hospitality across the Northeast of England
Why did Fizzy Friends decide to fundraise for Hospitality Action?
In recent years the hospitality sector has faced unprecedented challenges. It was amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic, and the subsequent supply-chain shocks and cost-of-living crisis are fuelling a collapse in the viability of countless hospitality businesses. Many continue to fail, placing even more livelihoods at risk.
Walk for Wellbeing in October and the Fizzy Friends lunch in November were a platform to demonstrate that, those who can in the hospitality sector, recognise how fortunate we are. We want to give something back to support those in difficulty and those who are struggling to avoid staff redundancies and to keep the lights on! We also wanted to enable Hospitality Action to support more Northeast families in crisis.
Can you share a memorable moment or experience you've had while supporting HA?
I work as a sounding board and mentor to many colleagues and friends in hospitality, regularly giving up my time to support people less fortunate or in crisis, while working in London and in the North.
The hospitality industry is facing a cost-of-living crisis with steep increases in raw materials, energy, staff salaries and rent, all of which has a knock-on effect to owners and staff, many struggling themselves. I have supported Hospitality Action for many years, from bungee jumping, jumping out of an airplane, skydiving, and back to the floor service challenges. I cannot say one was more memorable than another, it has all been an experience.
However, this year to pull together over 125 people in four weeks to do a costal charity walk was rather special. We had people walking who had benefited from HA grants alongside General Managers, suppliers, families and pets! It was a very memorable day and saw everyone come together as one family. Then to finish 2024 with the fabulous Fizzy Friends lunch pulled together by six amazing fizzy friends and the support of Bidfood was very special.
What impact do you hope your support will have on those we assist?
We know the funds will go towards helping people in hospitality tackle complex issues like addiction, financial difficulties, relationship breakdown, bereavement and mental health problems. It is not getting any easier, in fact with the latest budget scare it is getting worse. We all need to come together to support our colleagues around the UK.
What tips do you have for people considering fundraising for HA?
Get all your team involved, it’s not a one-man band! If you have a fundraising committee, you can share the responsibilities. Make it fun and meet regularly to keep the momentum going. Think outside of the box and involve the local community and suppliers.
Heartfelt thanks to Debrah and all of the amazing Fizzy Friends for their dedicated support. If your place of work can do the same, please get in touch.
