Boots UK hosted its annual bonfire and fireworks night on Friday 6 November 2015, to fundraise for BBC Children in Need, and it brought some very special guests from Belong in Nottingham to join in the fun.

 

Belong is one of the projects supported by BBC Children in Need in Nottingham, and it works to give young refugees living in disadvantaged inner city areas opportunities, encouraging better social inclusion in a multi-cultural society. Children who benefit from Belong’s charity activities were invited to the bonfire at Boots UK, along with their siblings and families, as a chance to enjoy bonfire night and a family-led event in a true celebration of the work that BBC Children in Need does.

 

BBC Children in Need has supported this charity since 2007 and it is fundraising events such as the annual bonfire at Boots which go on to help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK. This is the twelfth year that Boots UK has supported BBC Children in Need as a charity partner, and not only do its colleagues and their friends and families get on board to help by raising important funds, but also by offering practical support mobilising colleagues across the UK to support the projects in their areas.

 

Simon Roberts, Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and President of Boots, said: “With stores located across the UK in many diverse communities, and with the continued passion and commitment of our colleagues, we can really make a difference to the BBC Children in Need campaign.  Nottingham is a key area for us where many of our colleagues live and work, so building close relationships with charities and projects in this area is very important. We’re thrilled that the Belong team were able to join our bonfire on Friday. Together, we are working with BBC Children in Need to help give disadvantaged children a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their full potential.”

 

BBC Children in Need is currently funding 40 important projects in Nottingham that improve the lives of children and young people, including 21 projects in Nottingham City.

 

At the bonfire, special guests from Belong, and Boots UK colleagues, friends and families were entertained throughout the night with performances from solo vocalist, Stephanie (21) from Clifton, and a singing duo Evie (15) and Orla (14) who both go to school in Ilkeston. There was also a mini fun fair, hot dogs, burgers, a bonfire, fireworks to a superhero theme, and guest appearances from Pudsey Bear and Blush Bear.

 

ENDS

 

Please contact Bethan Simmons at the Boots UK Press Office on 0115 959 1188 or bethan.simmons@boots.co.uk for more information.

 

About Boots UK

 

Boots UK (boots.com), the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise.  With 2,510* stores in the UK, Boots UK is committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare and offer innovative 'only at Boots' exclusive products such as the UK’s leading skincare brand No7, all delivered with the great value customers love. Created over 165 years ago, the Boots brand is still at the heart of the communities it serves.

 

*As at 31 August 2015 excluding equity method investments

 

About BBC Children in Need

 

The BBC Children in Need Appeal is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

 

BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential.  We will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.

 

We are currently supporting c.2,500 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.