BGC Group just pulled off its annual Charity Day, and the numbers are staggering. The company donated 100% of one day’s trading revenue to charity, raising US$16 million. Around 50 celebrities joined brokers on the trading floor to help close deals, including Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy, and Jamie Redknapp. Leigh Francis, better known as Keith Lemon, helped finalise a US$10 billion trade.
The event began in 2005 to honour the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees lost on 9/11. Two decades later, it has raised a global total of US$250 million for causes including Muscular Dystrophy UK and HvH Arts. For one day a year, the trading floor becomes something entirely different.
What makes it stick is the contrast. Only 27% of UK businesses support charities, and FTSE 100 giving has halved as a percentage of profits since 2009. BGC is proof that one committed day can move millions. So here’s the question: if your workplace donated one full day of revenue, which charity would you want it to go to?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.