Each year, Polar Technology employees vote to select a local charity for the company to support, through raising money at various fundraising events. For 2024, the chosen charity is The Hummingbird Centre, a cancer support and therapy centre in Bicester.

The Hummingbird’s goal is to relieve the mental and physical sickness of people suffering with cancer and to offer support services to both them and their loved ones. The centre is a place where it’s guests can feel warmth and support, learn and feel as happy as is possible during their cancer journey.

One of the reasons that Polar Technology employees chose The Hummingbird was the range of services that the centre is able to offer its guests. They include:

-         Play sessions and group counselling for children aged 4+ who are either suffering with cancer themselves or seeing a loved one go through the journey.

-         Meditation and hypnotherapy to help with the mental stresses of cancer.

-         Variety of arts and crafts sessions for guests to have fun and chat with people who are going through similar experiences.

-         Workshops that give valuable, practical tips for improving sleep and getting better nutrition.

-         Complementary therapies, such as sound therapy and Reiki, that offer valuable relaxation and relief from pain.

-         Sessions with trained counsellors to support at all stages of the cancer journey.

Tracy Dewhirst, Marketing Manager for Polar Technology and Chair of the Social Committee, explained the decision to choose The Hummingbird: “When it came to choosing our charity for this year, we wanted to make sure we were supporting a good cause within the local community. By choosing a smaller charity, we knew that we would be able to directly see the difference our donations were making. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause!”

Mechelle Harris, Founder of The Hummingbird Centre, added: “We are so pleased to have Polar Technology supporting us. I found it truly humbling to know it’s the employees that have voted for us, as you never know how and why a company decide to support you. It’s important to us that Polar Technology feel part of the charity and become involved during their time with us, there are exciting times ahead”.

The Hummingbird is not just looking for donations, but also volunteers who can help out the guests at the centre. They are especially interested in hearing from anyone with skills in arts and crafts, or who can provide some of the therapies offered. To find out how you can support them or get in touch, click here: How Can You Help? | Hummingbird Centre (thehummingbirdcentre.org.uk)