All together now
One thing you‘ll already know all about is how hard we all work, not just to keep the business growing, but to make a difference to countless lives across the world through charitable projects and initiatives. What you might not know is what an incredible impact this work is having on the ground, in places where help is most needed.
Our very own Richard Roberts, Head of Resourcing and Culture, along with 10 other Business Champions from across the Virgin Group, was lucky enough to accompany Richard Branson on a 5-day whirlwind tour of South Africa, to find out about these Virgin Unite projects, first hand. ‘Meeting these amazing people, seeing the work they've done and their plans for the future, really brought home how important the work we've been doing at home, has been. It was truly moving and inspiring', said Richard, who helped pop a few champagne corks and cut a few ribbons at launches, project visits and fundraising events around Johannesburg.
‘One of the projects we visited was the Branson School of Entrepreneurship, where a new building has been added. It's going to be a real hotbed of talent. I think some of the kids there will be giving Richard a run for his money in the not too distant future'. Other ventures include the launch of a project, which will provide support for children orphaned by HIV/Aids, a self-sustaining Community Health Centre and the launch of a Virgin Active Gym for over two million people.
So how did Richard feel when he got home? ‘It's difficult to put into words. So much of life in the townships of couldn't be more different to life here, but at the end of the day we're all working hard for the same things - health, happiness and a better future for our kids. It was a privilege to see how so many people are helping each other to achieve it.'
8 February 2007