Blog. Spotlight on: Green & Fortune

We are over the moon that this year's legendary Green & Fortune St Patrick's Day party raised £42,000 for Hospitality Action! More than 230 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a live auction and a sing-along with London Irish rockers The Craicheads. The proceeds of the day's fundraising, along with 50% of the ticket sales, were donated to HA and the London Irish Centre, with a total of £84,000 split between us both. We caught up with John Nugent, Chief Executive, Green & Fortune, to learn a little more more about his long-standing support.

Why do you support Hospitality Action?

Working together, rather than in isolation always delivers better results in all walks of life. That is how I see Hospitality Action operating, and how it positions itself across our broad sector. I see first-hand, the successful outcomes that this approach delivers. There are many stand out charities around us, but the breath of support Hospitality Action offers is unmatched and has to be admired. From small scale support to significant interventions, the difference these actions make to peoples’ circumstances and lives can be nothing short of life changing. Hospitality Action is truly a charity that delivers.

What do you think sets Hospitality Action apart from others?

I don’t know of any other charity that comes close to covering the breath of support that Hospitality Action does. The day to day support it offers and the skills required to do so, is a mammoth task. Dealing with over 15,000 grants in the past five years demonstrates how deep into society its programmes go. The willingness to support such basic requests such as school uniforms for family members, to more complex applications gives confidence that there is a desire to assist all who are in need. The support they offer is cross generational, from young people starting out in our industry, to retired individuals who need some additional help and support. In particular the Employee Assistance Programme is a standout service. I have seen first hand the difference this intervention can make and the speed in which it can be mobilised.

Can you share a memorable moment or experience you've had while supporting Hospitality Action?

There are too many to mention. The charity has the ability to bring together so many people from many disciplines, career paths, sectors of the industry and employment specialisms. When you mobilise all these together, and more, you create events and fundraising opportunities that unite us all. Attending these gatherings allow for many friendships to be formed or re-found. They unite our communities and workplaces. At every level, people can get involved and become engaged with Hospitality Action. The breath of events available, demonstrates the reach the charity has and the opportunity it creates for so many to participate.

Tell us a little about the St Patrick’s Lunch.

Like many good ideas, it almost happened by accident. This event started with a few of us sitting around in January 2019, wondering what we might do on St. Patrick’s Day, rather than just go to the local bar with friends. We decided to have a small lunch and put some money on the table, and donate it to charity. From those humble beginnings, this event has grown into a firm fixture in the calendar, supported by 230 people this year. It is embraced by so many - friends of Green & Fortune, industry peers and colleagues, the significant Irish business community, businesses that we work closely with. The unique nature of the day is as much a celebration of us all coming together for the afternoon. The additional support given by
many, elevates the event on the day to a unique position.

Of course without many hands, this event would not happen. There are three wonderful individuals from Green & Fortune who have been a constant from the first gathering back in 2019 - Rachael Hulme, Emma Williams and Rebecca Eatough. Collectively they have offered huge support in this time, mobilising a small army of people each year to deliver an experience and great day out, that is unique in our sector.

In addition, the generosity of the people who come along to the lunch is vast. There are so many individuals and companies who offer gifts and auction lots for the day, sponsors who contribute financially and people who give their time and expertise for free. All these actions go a long way to deliver the significant fund raising. Too many to thank here, but all these interventions make the world of difference.

What impact do you hope your support will have on those we assist?

This year the cumulative funds raised since inception topped in excess of £250,000. We pinch ourselves when we talk about this amount of money. It is very pleasing to think that from very modest intentions, what we do on one single day each year, has such positive impacts on the lives of so many individuals and families. This is the combined outcome and effect of the power of people and organisations, when they come together to support and collaborate. A real joy to know and see.

We are profoundly grateful John and the Green & Fortune team for fundraising on our behalf. The funds raised will have a truly life-changing impact on those facing difficult times, and this level of support is nothing short of extraordinary. If your workplace would like to do the same, please get in touch.

Photos by: Waterhouse Photography