Global healthcare company Randox Laboratories has today announced that staff have raised over £14,000 for mental health charity partners AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood, during 2018 and 2019.

AWARE NI is the depression charity for Northern Ireland with an established network of 24 support groups in rural and urban areas across the country. They also deliver mental health and wellbeing programmes into communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. Mind Your Mood is an initiative designed and managed by students at Ulster University to help break down the stigma of mental health and encourage students to access support.

Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director and Founder of Randox Laboratories, commented:

“There is no doubt that mental health issues are a major concern within our society and the vigour with which staff at Randox have fundraised for AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood, two causes close to everybody’s hearts, is to be commended.

“Randox staff across all areas – from Science to Engineering and Business to Manufacturing –  have raised a substantial sum for our two charity partners and we hope that this figure will aid awareness of mental health and contribute to the help given to those suffering in Northern Ireland.”

The partnership, which was announced in July 2018, kicked off with the annual Randox Fest staff BBQ in August where 400 staff members had the opportunity to participate in a football tournament, tug-of-war and rounders. Talented musicians amongst Team Randox even took to the stage to bring live music to the festivities.

Throughout the year, Randox staff continued to enthusiastically support AWARE and Mind Your Mood. In October 2018, Randox hosted a company-wide Mental Health Month which saw various divisions take part in a fundraising coffee morning in Randox Health’s clinic in Holywood, a Wear Yellow Day across all of Randox’s NI sites, a daring abseil from the dome of Victoria Square Belfast and a fundraising bake sale for staff members.

The Randox Gaelic Football team also fundraised for the charities with their participation in an Interfirm Tournament in November 2018, while the annual Randox Christmas Raffle in December 2018 was once again popular as staff members vied for top prizes of a 55” Sony smart TV, an extra day of annual leave and tickets to the world-renowned Randox Health Grand National. Children of Randox staff also enjoyed a visit from another famous and festive figure in a red suit at this yearly family event in the staff calendar.

Clare Galbraith, Corporate Fundraising Officer for AWARE, commented:

“We have thoroughly enjoying working with Randox over the past year and are incredibly grateful to Randox staff for their hard work and perseverance in achieving this tremendous amount of fundraising.

“The vital work of AWARE is funded primarily by donations and without the generosity of people like those at Randox, we would not be able to provide the services we do to those living with depression and bipolar disorder in Northern Ireland.”

The new year in 2019 saw Randox staff taking part in a charity golf day at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Belfast City Marathon and another abseil, this time from the top of Cave Hill’s most iconic landmark, Belfast Castle. Two brave staff members have also volunteered to scale the heights in a 10,000ft skydive in Garvagh which will take place later in the year.

Randox fundraising for AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood came to an end with AWARE NI’s Dragon Boat race on the River Lagan at the end of June 2019. Two Randox boats competed against 12 others in a race against the clock, with one Team Randox boat reaching the semi-final of the event.

Eddie Friel, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Ulster University said:

“Ulster University and Randox have a long-standing partnership built around research, knowledge, sharing, collaboration and student opportunity. This generous sum raised by Randox staff will go a long way in helping to support the mental health activity taking place at our four campuses through the Mind Your Mood initiative.”

Over £14,000 was raised, £10,826 of which was for AWARE NI-related activities and £3,270 for Mind Your Mood.

For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413.