Supporting nine charities across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Romania, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the US and Malaysia, The Access Group employees embody a thriving culture of giving back. This commitment extends to regions where they have significant operations and a substantial employee presence, ensuring their philanthropic efforts make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve.
Young Lives vs Cancer was Access UK’s charity of the year for 2024/ 2025. Access committed to supporting the charity in its mission to help children, young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.
Throughout the year, a combination of employee fundraising, matched funding by the business and grants from The Access Foundation has raised £ 1 million for the charity.
The most recent fundraising effort saw 53 employees, including members of the senior leadership team, take part in a reverse bungee jump at the company’s head office in Loughborough, raising £55,000 in matched fundraising. On the same day, 23 people took part in a 20-km circular walk starting and finishing at HQ, raising £38,000.
Other notable fundraising activities throughout the year have included our two Charity Galas in the UK and Romania, which raised £85,000 and 168,000 lei, respectively; 26 employees raising £87,000 on the London to Amsterdam cycle; and a 130km trek around Loch Ness raising £84,000.
Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive at Young Lives vs Cancer, said:
"We can't thank Access enough for taking on all the challenges and raising an incredible amount of money to support young people with cancer. The Access Group's commitment, along with the efforts and generosity of everyone, has been so inspiring. Every year, over 4,000 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer relies on charitable donations to fund our vital work supporting children and young people facing cancer and their families.
The money raised will make a significant difference, ensuring that children and young people with cancer receive the support they need. From all of us at Young Lives vs Cancer, thank you."
Caroline Fanning, Chief Employee Success Officer at The Access Group, commented:
"Every year, our people find new and extraordinary ways to give back. I am truly proud of the creativity, passion and unity shown across Access worldwide. Raising £1.55 million is a phenomenal achievement, and every effort has made a difference. Thank you to every single person who contributed—you’ve not only raised a tremendous sum but also lifted the spirits of those who benefit from the support of our charity partnerships. Our people truly embody our mission: Love Work. Love Life. Be You. They are the heartbeat of our purpose-driven culture.’
As well as Young Lives vs Cancer, this year Access also supported charities across the globe, including National Organisation of Rare Diseases (NORD) in the US, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Beyond Blue in Australia, SUKA Society in Malaysia, Sir John Kirwan Foundation in New Zealand, United Way in Romania, Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam and the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Sri Lanka.
In Malaysia, SUKA Society CEO Anderson Selvasegaram added:
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Access for their incredible support in protecting and preserving the best interests of vulnerable children in Malaysia. The funds raised will allow us to continue to deliver critical services, including case management, access to education, nutritious food, safe shelter and healthcare for unaccompanied and separated children. Your generosity helps us meet these children’s urgent needs and upholds their rights to safety dignity and opportunity.
The Access Foundation has also reported a high-performing year in its mission to address the digital divide. A total of 145 grants were awarded this fiscal year, with a combined value of £2.2million—a 2% increase on the previous year. Almost half of these went to organisations that strive to address digital poverty, and 70 employee-nominated grants were supported across seven countries.
For more information on the charities, visit our Giving Back charity web page.
About The Access Group
The Access Group is one of the largest UK-headquartered business management software providers. It provides solutions that empower more than 160,000 small and mid-sized organisations in commercial and non-profit sectors across Europe, USA and APAC, giving every employee the freedom to do more of what’s important. Its innovative cloud solutions and integrated AI software experience across multiple Access products transform how business technology is used. Access employs over 9,000 people, continuously driving product innovation and customer service excellence. For more information, visit www.theaccessgroup.com or follow us @TheAccessGroup