Ryan leads the way for RugbyWorks and Macquarie
To mark International Volunteer Day 2019, we at Dallaglio RugbyWorks (DRW) would like to thank our volunteers.
Our work with over 550 young people across England and Wales is enriched by our volunteers who help in a number of ways from organising fundraising events to helping us with our touch-rugby tournaments.
One of our partners, Macquarie Bank, have raised over £10,000 this year for our work through hosting a number of staff events. To celebrate this milestone on such an important day, we asked Ryan Galvin, Business Resilience Manager, EMEA at Macquarie, to share why his company are so supportive of RugbyWorks.
"My journey with Dallaglio RugbyWorks began in 2017 when I set up an internal Touch Rugby team. I contacted the Macquarie Group Foundation team and when Dallaglio RugbyWorks (DRW) was mentioned, as one of the Macquarie grant partners, it felt like a ‘slam dunk’ to unite a rugby-loving community with a charity that focuses its support of young adults through the medium of rugby.
"It was only after visiting a DRW-led session and speaking with the mentors, that I could see the impact the charity and its mentors was having on the lives of the young adults and the communities they supported. It was from that moment on, that I made a personal commitment to doing my utmost to forge a strong partnership with the charity – specifically, thinking of how I could promote the charity’s efforts amongst Macquarie staff, while also looking at ways in which staff could offer their support through volunteering and fundraising.
"The partnership has strengthened significantly in the last two years. A recent example of success was when 70 London-based Macquarie staff registered to play for a summer touch rugby tournament in Regent’s Park, that raised in excess of £7,000.
"What really excites me about the partnership now and in the future, are the opportunities to do more, supported by the fact that the charity actively engages in Macquarie’s events; whether it’s taking part in the spring/summer touch rugby tournaments, leading or supporting fundraising events and playing an active role in the Macquarie-led Career Insight Visits.
"The half-day Career Insight Visits have been a huge hit with everyone that has attended and supported the event. Success of the events have come from our focus on creating a safe and friendly environment that helps the young adults to learn about what it’s like to work in a bank and in business, in a way which is inclusive and uses the products and services that Macquarie offers to relate every-day life with business e.g. smart meters, toll roads, aircraft, and technology to name a few.
"Aside of the fundraising and volunteering, a personal highlight was receiving an invite for Macquarie to take part in the inaugural RugbyX Pro-AM event at O2 Arena in October.
"Macquarie invited two DRW staff to join the team, in recognition of their individual efforts in helping the partnership to flourish. The event was an amazing opportunity to play alongside professional rugby (7s) players at an iconic London venue, and to be side by side with the DRW staff who give everything every day to help the young adults in challenging situations.
"I want to recognise some of the previous team at RugbyWorks including Jen, Ed, Dan, Tom and the current team who are amazing to work with, and for their hard work.
"What’s next? I am volunteering with my 9-year-old son, Aidyn, at the Wasps vs Northampton Saints match in January by fundraising before and after the match. I’m really excited about the partnership as we still have so much we want to achieve together in 2020."
