Every month, we share some of the highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA. This month, we have four big pieces of news to share and celebrate.
Sarah Hogan appointed Chair of the Openwork Foundation Fundraising Committee
Sarah Hogan has been appointed the Chair of the Openwork Foundation Fundraising Committee. Lauren, Elysia and Joanne are also ambassadors for the Foundation.
The Openwork Foundation raises money each year through the Openwork group, via donations, events, regular giving, and through public donations.
The charity supports causes across the UK for vulnerable children and adults and distributes funds through its grant program. To the end of June 2021, they had given out £202,316 in grants and have a target of distributing £510,000 in funds by the end of the year.
If you support a charity and would like to know if it is eligible for a grant, please email contactme@kbafinancial.com with the title ‘Openwork Foundation’ and one of the team will contact you.
Alternatively, feel free to donate to these fantastic causes by clicking this link, or here to find out more about the fantastic work The Openwork Foundation does.
Karen Fogg and her daughters raised over £1,000 for breast cancer charity
Our office manager, Karen and her two daughters have raised £1,294 for Breast Cancer Now (previously Breast Cancer Care) with an afternoon tea for friends, family, and friends of friends.
They hosted their first afternoon tea for the cause in 2014, in memory of Karen’s auntie who lost her fight against breast cancer in the same year.
Their first event saw them raise £400, and they have increased the amount of money raised every year since.
Karen said: “Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t brilliant this year, but we had gazebos up and managed to keep everyone (and the cakes!) dry.”
We celebrate Sarah Tate
Sarah, our protection administrator, has been a member of our brilliant team for nine years this month.
When she joined KBA she worked just one day a week and gradually worked her way up to full-time. Now a mother of two, Sarah works three days a week, but makes it count with regular 10-hour days.
What were you doing before you joined KBA, and do you remember the interview?
I had recently graduated from university but had no idea what I wanted to do – I had four different jobs at the same time before I went full-time at KBA.
I worked in a pub, on a market stall, in a cobblers, and also helped out at my friend’s sandwich shop.
I didn’t have an official interview. I got the job thanks to my dad, who knew Sarah (our CEO).
What do you remember about your first day at KBA Financial?
We were a really small team in a tiny office when I first started, and it was just me and Karen (our office manager).
What do you love most about your job?
I love working alongside the team and our KBA family, I also enjoy knowing that I have helped a client get protection in place, so their family is protected if anything was to happen to them. And the flexibility of KBA, allowing me to have days off with my children while they are young.
Favourite memorable moment?
The many nights out and trips we’ve had. We always have the best times together. I have so many fun memories, it’s impossible to pick an absolute favourite.
Jane Catterall became a grandma for the second time
On Tuesday 7 September, Jane’s daughter Louise gave birth to a baby girl, Evie.
Here’s what Jane has to say…
Is this your first grandchild or do you have others?
I have another granddaughter. Emilia Jane is nearly three, and the new baby’s older sister.
My daughter sent me a message to say that Emilia likes the baby (we weren’t sure how she would react as she is very clingy).
She said Emilia has been really gentle with Evie. The first morning Emilia got the bottle for her and pulled the blanket over Evie while she was on Louise’s knee and she gave her head a little stroke.
My daughter also has a boxer dog, who is only six months old, and she keeps going to the Moses basket to check on the baby.
How was the pregnancy/birth?
My daughter’s pregnancy was fine, and the birth was okay, with no real complications. Evie was expected to be born on September 3, and she arrived on September 7.
What was her birth weight, and does she have a name yet?
She was 7lb 9oz and her name is Evie Charlotte.
I stayed overnight on Saturday and did all Evie’s night feeds so my daughter could have some rest. Louise needed the rest because her husband is working nights.
I only got about four hours of sleep as she is waking every couple of hours for a feed, but I’m not complaining because it was lovely to spend those magical quiet hours with her.
And finally, are you a grandma, granny, nanny or something else?
Grandma (that’s what I always called my grandparents and what both my daughters called theirs).
