Appeal for nominations for the ‘Big Day Out’ competition

System One Travelcards is supporting struggling charities and community groups in Rochdale for the second year running, with the launch of ‘Big Day Out 2012’, which will offer 10 worthwhile organisations the chance to win a share of £5,000.

The launch comes as small voluntary organisations face their toughest post-recession year yet, with 27 per cent planning to cut paid staff numbers over the coming months and many also expecting to decrease expenditure, according to a recent report from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

To show its support for the sector, System One Travelcards is calling for local people to nominate hardworking charities or community groups that service users, supporters and volunteers believe deserve to win a share of the £5,000 prize fund.

The company will be donating £500 to one organisiation from each of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs, to be spent on a big day out in the region this summer for its staff or members. Last year, winning organisations enjoyed a variety of ‘Big Days Out’, including a children’s ball sports tournament in Oldham, a camping trip in Wigan and a visit to a special soft play and therapy centre for blind children and their carers, in Stockport.

The inaugural ‘Big Day Out’ competition was launched in 2011, to celebrate the launch of System One Travelcard’s Junior DaySaver ticket, which allows unlimited travel for under 16’s on any bus at any time for just £2.70.

Gradyn Thompson, general manager of System One Travelcards, said: “Last year we received a phenomenal response to the competition, with hundreds of nominations flooding in, proving that there are so many local charities and organisations that residents rely on and are keen to support.

“We understand that many of these fantastic organisations are facing a tough year financially and are increasingly relying on the hard work and generosity of their unpaid volunteers to continue providing their vital services.

“As a result we have decided to increase our prize fund this year from £3,500 to £5,000, to reward these projects even more and allow them to enjoy and extra special, fun day out in the region this summer.”

To be in for a chance to win, applicants need to contact System One and tell them:

Which borough of Greater Manchester the organisation’s head office is situated in
The name of the organisation and what it does (including full contact details)
Why the organisation deserves a ‘Big Day Out’, courtesy of System One
What the organisation will do on its ‘Big Day Out’, if it was selected as a winner

Applications can made through System One’s Facebook page, OneManchester, by emailing BigDayOut@tangerinepr.com, or by post to Nikki Girvan, Tangerine PR, Giant’s Basin, Potato Wharf, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4NB.

Organisations are also able to nominate themselves, and all applications must be received by midnight on Monday 30 April 2012.

A panel of judges will shortlist three organisations from each borough, which will then be put to a public vote. The shortlisted nominations will be announced on Friday 4 May 2012, when voting will go live on the OneManchester Facebook page.