New staff-led initiative from Microgaming PlayItForward raises over £50,000 for charity

25.04.2019

ISLE OF MAN – This month marks a year since Microgaming PlayItForward officially launched a dedicated space for employees to nominate and vote for worthy causes close to their hearts, which has resulted in more than £50,000 in total charitable donations.

Now in its fifth year, and continuing to support communities in areas such as health, charity, education and sport, PlayItForward is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of Microgaming, one of the online gaming industry’s leading software suppliers.

In April 2018, the award-winning technology company unveiled its employee-driven charitable voting scheme at its headquarters in Douglas, Isle of Man. Aiming to drive employee engagement with the CSR programme, the staff-led initiative provides a dedicated space for staff to nominate the causes that they would like to see receive support from PlayItForward, which has attracted over 4,000 votes to date.

Some of the charities that have so far directly benefited through the PlayItForward Wall include Isle of Man-based organisations The Family Library, Douglas Coal Fund, Cruse Bereavement Care, Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour Charity, Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, Isle of Play, The Arts Hub, Aid Rescue, Live At Home, and Traa dy Liooar.

Staff also voted to support Manx-registered Bridge the Gap, which helps improve facilities and support for teenagers and young adults with long-term health needs, and PhysioNet, which distributes unwanted wheelchairs and other mobility equipment to disabled people in developing countries. In addition, PlayItFoward donations helped to fund a class at The Arts Hub and will assist Isle of Play in purchasing a new vehicle to transport and store all the play equipment.

PlayItForward not only supports charities and organisations with their work, but also individuals in need of a helping hand. Following a staff nomination in December, local resident Joseph Fleming received support to assist with the purchase of a replacement wheelchair.

We rehome dogs, rehabilitate dogs and we pay for a lot of dogs on island and off island to have operations. The money we are receiving from Microgaming PlayItForward will go towards buying the ambulance that we well and truly need, one of the important tools at AID Rescue for the need of the community.
Anita WilliamsAID Rescue
We have been overwhelmed by employee support for this new way of voting for good causes through PlayItForward. As a knock-on effect, the number of volunteers stepping forward to help with our charity work increased tenfold since the programme was introduced. I’d like to thank everyone who put forward a cause close to their heart, who took the time to take a vote and, overall, for helping us make a real difference in the community.
Kate MoughtinSenior CSR Manager at Microgaming
My charity is about screening young people from the age of 14 to 35. We’ve screened over 8,000 young people and detected about 150 heart problems to date. We also donate defibrillators, having donated over 300 on the island. I would just like to thank everyone for voting for the Craig Heartstrong Foundation, the PlayItForward donation is amazing, it means so much and went towards our screening at the beginning of April.
Paula LuntCraig Heartstrong Foundation
Many elderly people have to make careful choices in how they spend their income, and often decide that a ‘luxury’ such as a library membership is one that they cannot afford. This generous donation ensures those borrowers who cannot pay annual membership for our Home Library Service can continue to visit with the books they love, stay for a chat and enjoy a link to the outside world.
Sally HardmanLibrarian Manager at The Family Library

For further information please contact the Microgaming Press Office +44 1624 727777 [email protected]