In 2023 MINI were on a mission to make life brighter.
MINI is built on Big Love.
A spirit of community that’s captured hearts and imaginations for over 60 years. And now, more than ever, it’s what drives us forward. Two little words with the power to inspire a world of positive action. Big Love is an attitude. An open-minded optimism. Appreciating what we have in common and celebrating all that makes us different. It is our inspiration to do better. To use our position to help build a brighter future for each other, and our planet. Connecting people, sharing experiences. Planting tiny seeds today that will one day make a forest. But we’re not on this journey alone. Big Love means being part of something bigger than ourselves. And it’s open to everyone – no driving licence required.
We want you to join us on this ride.
First let’s talk 2022.
Last year Halliwell Jones were inspired to do better and got fully stuck in with MINI Big Love. We dropped off food donations to 4 different foodbanks and hosted 3 coffee mornings for MacMillan Cancer Support. We sponsored, and were honoured to have the chance to meet, 5 amazing support dogs. We tidied social/sports spaces to be used again after they were neglected during covid, including a space at the Countess of Chester Hospital. We held Competitions and gave away prizes. And we met and are proud to sponsor some young sports stars.
2023.
After MINI Big Love launched in 2022, we supported Big Love Month in July 2023, a continuation of the campaign with fresh updates. We got our thinking caps on to resubmit our pledges or create new ones. We set our goals and wanted to make an even bigger difference than before.
This year we were ready to go above and beyond and we hope you love what we got up to…
Meet Moose.
Moose is a wonder dog and is the cutest member of the Halliwell Jones MINI Wilmslow family. He’s currently in training to become a guide dog! We have sponsored his training to become a superhero for a blind or visually impaired person.
Conwy Borough Girls FC.
We are the proud kit sponsor of Conwy girls under 8’s football team. We sponsor them to have a kit for their games, hoodies to keep them warm on the way to games and waterproof tracksuit tops so they can train in any conditions.
Comedy Bingo Spring Socials.
The Spring Socials are put on to help ease social isolation within our Southport community. The main man, Bren Riley put on a fantastic show. We laughed, we cried and we even almost won something. To help Bren and the team we sponsored one event in March.
The Chester Duck Race.
We were delighted to sponsor two ducks in the Countess of Chester Hospital Duck Race on the 1st April. We donated a duck to Highfield community Primary School in Blacon, Chester to create something amazing.
Rugby Super League Magic Weekend.
On the 1st June, 19 cyclists from the Warrington Wolves Foundation set off from The Halliwell Jones Stadium on their magic weekend 300 mile cycle ride, passing all of the Super League Clubs on their way to Newcastle's St James Park. Halliwell Jones donated this zesty yellow JCW as their support vehicle.
Lindow Cricket Club Golf Day.
It was great to support and take part in Lindow Cricket Club golf day at Styal Golf Club in July. To help raise funds for Lindow Cricket Club, we sponsored a hole, entered a team and gave away some great prizes on the day. And to top it all off our team was able to finish in second place.
St Rocco’s Boat Race.
Halliwell Jones Warrington joined their local hospice on their annual dragon boat race on Sunday 23rd July from the Warrington Rowing Club. St Rocco’s Hospice provides specialist care and support across Warrington, helping those who are coping with a life-limiting illness. For the residents of Warrington and surrounding areas this hospice means a lot and has helped at least one of our family members or close friends. The team finished in an impressive 2nd place raising a total of £2,738.
75 Years of the NHS.
We were absolutely thrilled to collect one of the 100 medals for supporters to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the NHS from the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The Anglesey Show.
We had a fantastic two days at the Anglesey Show in August! We had some Big Love activities taking place throughout the event to raise money for Hope House & Tŷ Gobaith. We set up a fastest lap track with remote control cars, guess how many balloons are in the mini, as well as had an incredible face painter and some amazing prizes. We raised £745 during the event.
Southport Comedy Festival.
We’re delighted to renew our partnership with Southport Comedy Festival for 2023. Entering its 12th year this hilarious event brings some of the best stand-up comedians from around the country for two weeks of non-stop laughter. We donated some great MINI prizes for people to win too.
Snowdon.
On the 30th September, our Magnificent Seven, Nick, Kim, Helen, Aidan, Meg, Sam and Sally, conquered Snowdon! To raise vital funds which will bring hope and comfort to ICU patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital through their Blue Skies Balcony Appeal, they absolutely smashed it given the awful weather and managed to raise £2,856 for the cause.
Halliwell Jones Golf Day.
We were thrilled to have professional golf player Matt Baldwin join us to go head to head with our players in our beat the pro competition. We raised £345 and all money donated went to Ben - Support for Life.
Southport Trinity AFC.
Halliwell Jones MINI Southport partnered up with Southport Trinity Under 13 boys Football team to become their main shirt sponsor for the upcoming season.
Lymm Brownies at the Ice Cream.
On Sunday 8th October we took 5th Lymm Brownies to The Ice Cream Farm in Chester for a fun day of MINI Big Love. Where they learnt about road safety, enjoyed playing at all the attractions and of course ate lots of yummy ice cream!!!
Comedy Bingo Winter Socials.
After the Spring Socials were a huge hit we teamed back up with Big Comedy UK to sponsor four more exciting Comedy Bingo Winter Socials, in November and December. These events were fantastic and we welcome 100 year old May on multiple occasions.
Christmas Tree Donation and Competition.
We purchased, re-planted and donated a tree from Graphenhall Christmas Trees in Warrington to Statham Primary School in Lymm for them to decorate. Where 5 lucky winners won prizes for the best decorations.
Community Blitz with Warrington Wolves.
We created donation bags full of essentials to keep homeless and vulnerable people warm and clean this winter. We donated 30 gift bags full of shampoo, body wash, flannels, tooth brushes and toothpaste as well as warm gloves and socks to try and make their winter a little easier. The full first team squad we’re out with us collecting food donations in our cars and visiting a range of sponsors for multiple food banks and housing shelters.
Chester Santa Dash.
We walked/ ran/ jogged and skipped through the streets of Chester on Sunday 3rd December in Santa suits to raise vital funds for two local charities close to lots of our hearts, The Hospice of the Good Shepherd and the Countess Charity. We raised £255.
Village Hotel Clothes Bank Drop.
Our MINI team had a clear out and donated some clothes to the Village Hotel Warrington's Green Winter Appeal. They were collecting non-perishable food items for the local food bank AND clothes for their National Charity Partner, SENSE.
Countess of Chester Sporting Lunch Donation.
We dropped off a MINI trike with Nicola from The Countess Charity to use as an auction prize at their Sporting Lunch.
St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School Donation with Santa.
On Wednesday we had the privilege of visiting St Augustine's Catholic Primary School with Warrington Wolves player Leon Hayes as he returned to his old primary school with team mate Joe Philbin to deliver selection boxes donated from Halliwell Jones MINI for each child. We were also joined by a very special visitor.
Overall
Time Donated: 556.5 Hours (69.5 working days)
Money Raised: £6,939 (to 9 different charities)
Money Donated by HJ: £12,983 (working with 14 local businesses and charities)
And most importantly we had so much fun.
#BIGLOVE
