Charities and their founders have offered their thanks as more than 2,000 people took part in a gift wrapping event for charities. Ex-PM Gordon Brown said the organisers, Sky Cares, were “making a real difference”, while The King’s Trust praised its “meaningful impact”.
A new world record has been set for the most people wrapping presents simultaneously across multiple sites, as part of a charity event supporting those in need.
The Big Sky Cares Wrapathon event on Tuesday attracted 2,050 Sky team members across 11 of the company’s sites including in London, Ireland, Italy and Germany.
The gifts – consisting of toys, books and puzzles – were donated to almost 30 charities, including The King’s Trust, The Multibank, NSPCC, Solidarity Sports and several others.
An adjudicator from Guinness World Records was present to confirm the achievement.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown who founded The Multibank – a project which serves the most vulnerable groups in UK – offered his thanks to Sky Cares for “making a real difference”.
“Sky’s gifts are helping to create a new, holistic feel-good currency for families, struggling to get by,” he added.
Jonathan Townsend, CEO of The King’s Trust said breaking the new record “shows how collective effort can make a meaningful impact within disadvantaged communities at the time of year when it’s most needed”.
The challenge was part of Sky’s volunteering programme, Sky Cares, which supports local communities.
Dana Strong, CEO of Sky Group, said: “It was a phenomenal effort from everyone involved – not only did we set a new Guinness World Record for the most people wrapping presents simultaneously at multiple venues, but most importantly we have supported thousands of families, older people and the wider community in receiving a gift this festive season.”
