Say "Hello" to our TWMP Champions

As part of our Earth Week celebrations we caught up with a group of colleagues from across the globe who have stepped forward to become The Washing Machine Project (TWMP) Champions, to help raise the profile of our corporate social impact partners in their own markets and teams, bringing to life the stories of the help we're enabling for tens of thousands of people in need.

As part of our ESG 2030 Action Plan, we have made a commitment to raise ￡1m for the The Washing Machine Project to positively impact the lives of 100,000 displaced and low-income people by providing an accessible, off-grid washing solution, and empowering women with the time to take charge of their lives and give them and their families the dignity of wearing clean clothes.?

James Tucker , our Social Impact Partnership Manager explains: “Our Champions are brilliant! Through them, we can promote our partnership across the RS global family, raising awareness and understanding of TWMP and the work we're doing, in a way that will resonate locally with our teams.?They help to co-ordinate and promote a wide range of our Group-led activities with their teams, as well as running their own local fundraising activities”.?

Cezary D?utowski is an Internal Account Manager in RS Poland. He told us: “I have trained and taken part in the Warsaw Half-Marathon in the charity path to help raise money for one of the local organisations. With all the experiences from the past I am willing to support TWMP to buy some washing machines that will help those less fortunate than myself; I’m also looking for local opportunities here in Warsaw where we can get our customers and suppliers involved in helping to raise funds for TWMP.”?

Germany’s Management Assistant, Christiane B?thies explains: “I became a Champion for TWMP as I wanted to make a difference and drive volunteering projects in Germany to help make a better world. I’m leading by example and last year, instead of receiving birthday gifts from friends, via Facebook, I asked them to donate to TWMP.? By doing this, I managed to raise EUR 500.??

“There are so many opportunities for us to get involved and help raise funds in our local area and our own colleagues have been very generous with their financial support here in Germany:? Last year, during RS Family Day Celebrations we held at our Bad Hersfeld Distribution Centre we managed to raise close on EURO 400.00, and then through a Cake Sale in our Frankfurt offices, colleagues came together to raise EURO 250.00!”?

Claire Kelly MBA is a Senior Sourcing & Operations Manager (EMEA) based in Corby and shared that TWMP provides a great opportunity for everyone at RS to help improve so many lives across the globe.

She said: “By being a Champion, I knew I could help raise awareness within my own team as well as the external community. I love to plan and organise events, so if I can do this while raising as much money as possible for TWMP, it’s a win-win situation!?

“Last Summer, I held a stall at The Corby Pole Fair (an event that happens every 20 years in the town), and by working cross-functionally with members of the P&SM, Inventory & Supply Chain teams, we asked for, and received donations of products from our customer returns that we were able to raffle at the Fair. There was some great interaction and engagement from members of the community, and we were able to raise a fantastic ￡1300.00!”

Lisa Ferrari-Harwood , a Key Account Manager in RS America shared, “I have been working with a local charity here in the US for over 15 years, where every week, we serve food to insecure and homeless people; so, I have seen first-hand what it is like for so many less fortunate than myself!?

“I recognise the dignity we can give back to so many, through providing them with access to washing and wearing clean clothes, so my dream is to see a washing machine in every homeless camp in the US!? We’ve already started – albeit small!?

"Working with TWMP last year, we managed to donate two Divya washing machines to the Homeless Support Services in the Portland Oregon area. I have also collaborated with an organisation in Canada to donate 6,000 laundry detergent sheets with each machine placed in the US.

“I ran a booth for TWMP at the RS Americas Expo last year, where we managed to raise over $5,000.00.? More recently, I attended a fundraising benefit and donated $500 on behalf of TWMP to raise more awareness in the food banking and the homeless support services communities.”?

Jake Mendham , a Team Manager in our Nuneaton DC said: “After meeting with TWMP Founder, Nav Sawhney I was hugely inspired to find out more, and wanted to do what I could to help and raise awareness here in the DC and share Nav’s vision for humanity.???

“Last year I was hugely proud to be part of the team that broke the world record of “How many T-Shirts can you hang on a washing line in 60 seconds! – and we're looking forward to running and breaking the challenge again this year!”

You can find out more about The Washing Machine Project at: The Washing Machine Project