Each year, Gallagher gives its colleagues the chance to support charities that are close to their hearts as part of the Making a Difference initiative. 129 nominations were received this year and Nanny Sharon’s Alpaca farm, based in Birkenhead, received £5,000.
Nanny Sharon’s Alpaca Farm was founded in 2022 by couple Dave and Sharon Beecham after Sharon suffered cardiac arrest and sustained a brain injury. Following the injury, Dave set up the alpaca farm to help rehabilitate his wife and support her recovery. Having seen the positive impact that being on the farm had on Sharon, they decided to open the farm to the public and now provide therapies and experiences for people who have physical, mental and social difficulties.
The farm was nominated for Gallagher’s Making a Difference initiative by Hollie Littlemore, Account Broker at Gallagher’s Liverpool office, who visits the site on a regular basis with her son.
Gallagher offers risk management and insurance solutions to commercial, corporate and personal customers across the UK. The business works with companies of all sizes, including SMEs, sole traders and large corporates across a range of industry sectors. Over 50 Gallagher staff work in Liverpool office, based on Sefton Street, Spinnaker House.
Gallagher’s Liverpool team is passionate about supporting charities in the region, as part of the business’s commitment to investing in the local areas where it is based. Over the years, the Liverpool office has supported a number of charities and this year has chosen Wirral Minds as its chosen charity. Liverpool staff will be hosting events throughout the year to raise money for Wirral Minds and the important work done by the charity.
Sharon Beecham, Co-owner of Nanny Sharon’s Alpaca Farm, said: “We are delighted to have received a donation as part of Gallagher’s Making a Difference initiative. Our farm’s goal is to support people living in the local community and this funding from Gallagher will help us to extend what we do.
“The donation has enabled us to purchase an off-road electric push wheelchair which wheelchair users can use to access the farm and our woodland trail. It will also help fund sessions for children and adults with additional needs including visits to Claire House Children’s Hospice and local nursing homes and the opportunity to interact with therapy animals such as goats, rabbits and guinea pigs.”
Commenting on the donation, Hollie said: “I am really proud to have helped support such a great charity which is helping people in the local community. Since it was created, I have seen the farm go from overgrown open land to the beautiful community space that it is now. I nominated Nanny Sharon’s Alpaca Farm as I knew the donation would mean a great deal to everyone in the community.”
