Staff and customers at the Cashino Adult Gaming Centre in Chester are celebrating after helping to raise a record £110,000 in just 12 months for a children’s charity.
Chips provide specialised powered wheelchairs for young people with severe mobility problems.
The money raised by the Foregate Street business has resulted in 17 deserving youngsters around the country receiving state-of-the-art wheelchairs, which will allow them to enjoy the freedom of movement and give them the independence every person needs.
Chips is the official charity of the casino and gaming industry and Cashino and its sister organisation, Beacon Bingo, support it each year with a host of fundraising activities ranging from sponsored hikes, bungee jumps and five-a-side football to local collections and raffles.
Since they began working with the charity in 2005 their joint efforts has meant that more than £400,000 has been raised for the charity, which has led to Cashino and Beacon Bingo providing 65 powered wheelchairs during their association with the charity. Each wheelchair costs between £5,500 and £6,000 to make.
Phil Gibbs, marketing manager for Cashino, said: “Chips is an extremely worthy cause and that’s why we continue to support the charity – the wheelchairs make such a difference to the lives of these young people, helping them become more mobile and do a lot of things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. I am so proud of everyone who helped us raise this fantastic amount, it has meant that we have raised £10,000 more than last year.
“It has been a great effort by all of our staff and customers this year and hopefully our continued efforts will help to raise much needed funds for many more wheelchairs in the future.”
Linda Lindsay, co-founder of Chips, added: “Cashino is one of our main fundraisers and if it wasn’t for them, these children wouldn’t have an opportunity to combat their disabilities with such a valuable resource.
“I know both everyone at the charity and the recipients themselves are all very grateful.”
