By Daniel Etchells

PHD Media was nominated for JustGiving Australia's Company Fundraiser of the Year Award by the Australian Paralympic Committee ©APC Media and JustGivingA media agency which raised $12,000 (£7,500/€9,500) for the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has been announced as the recipient of JustGiving Australia's Company Fundraiser of the Year Award.


PHD Media was nominated by the APC for its participation in a fundraising Paralympic Corporate Challenge which saw the agency divided into four teams to compete in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball.

The competition raised more than $6,500 (£4,000/€5,000) within just one week through JustGiving, the social donation platform, while the remainder was made up from a combination of staff fundraising and the support of event sponsors.

"Fundraising initiatives like PHD's Paralympic Challenge not only educate individuals on the role sport plays for people with a disability, but it helps create an understanding of diversity both in and out of the workplace," said APC fundraising manager Rob Lawrenson.

"We saw more enthusiasm from the PHD staff than we have with other companies.

"The great thing about activity-based initiatives is that it also creates an appreciation for our athletes and the hard work and dedication that leads to their successes."

The Australian Paralympic Committee relies on financial support in order to send athletes such as Kurt Fearnley to international competitions ©Getty ImagesThe Australian Paralympic Committee relies on financial support in order to send athletes such as Kurt Fearnley to international competitions ©Getty Images





PHD Australia chose to raise money for the APC after becoming aware that it's a not-for-profit organisation which requires support to send athletes to international competitions.

"The APC Paralympic Challenge created a sense of excitement in our business, testing our staff's comfort levels and helping to raise a phenomenal amount of money for the APC," said Toby Hack, PHD managing director.

"It was an extremely fulfilling experience for everyone who participated and donated, and the ease of using JustGiving as a fundraising platform enabled us to quickly and easily collect donations and share our fundraising team pages globally.

"Our APC Paralympic Challenge was one of the most successful internal events we have ever hosted and we are sure that our partnership with the APC will not end here."

Australia's country director at JustGiving, Nikki Kinlock, said:  "Here at JustGiving we are delighted that PHD Media has won the JustGiving Company Fundraiser of the Year for Australia in 2014.

"They have put an incredible amount of hard work in and are clearly committed to raising thousands of dollars for such a good cause as the Australian Paralympic Committee.

"We encourage all companies to do their bit in fundraising as it not only benefits a charity, but it also plays a huge part in increasing employee engagement and morale."

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