GDS International Launches Global Charity Initiative - GDS Cares

BRISTOL, England, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Following on from previous years' charity efforts, including raising over £35,000 for autism charities, GDS International - which creates engagement opportunities for business, onsite and online - is proud to announce its new global charity initiative: GDS Cares.

GDS Cares is an initiative in two parts: giving back to the communities in which GDS' people live, work and play; and more traditional fund raising for a good cause - caring for life-limited and disadvantaged children and their families.

GDS International's Chairman, Spencer Green, said:

"We are a company full of talented, motivated and good people. What could we achieve for our communities if we gave them just 5% of our time? Imagine what our offices could do if we - collectively - dedicated one day a month to it. Everyone together.

"Volunteering gives us an opportunity to change lives, including our own. We think giving back to our local communities is hugely important, which is why we're so pleased to announce GDS International's new charity initiative - GDS Cares."

Each of the 20-year-old company's four global offices (Bristol, Miami, New York, and Sydney) has chosen to support a children's charity local to them. These charities are:

Bristol: Children's Hospice South West (http://www.chsw.org.uk/).

Miami: Ronald Macdonald House Charities South Florida (http://rmhcsouthflorida.org/)

New York: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (http://www.pedaids.org/)

Sydney: Bear Cottage, an initiative of the children's hospital at Westmead (http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/)

GDS Cares' goals for 2013 are:

1. Contributing to making our community better

Through support and hard work, GDS International will make a difference for the people who live in our local community.

2. Feeling good about doing good, together

Improving working relationships with colleagues whilst doing something meaningful that has a positive impact for those less fortunate than us.

3. Financial aid

Raising £20,000 for children's charities in our 20th birthday year. 

For more information about GDS International, please visit http://www.gdsinternational.com

About GDS International

GDS International creates engagement opportunities for business, onsite and online.

We bring senior executives together, face-to-face, at exclusive summits, conferences, and on virtual private roundtables to advance their business with brilliant results. We create tangible business opportunities: networking platforms that help to establish thought leaders, stay in touch with existing partners, and stay abreast of crucial market, technology and regulatory developments.

We're 20 years old. Our headquarters are based in Bristol, UK, with subsidiaries offices in New York, Miami and Sydney. 

For more information about GDS International or any of its many products please visit http://www.gdsinternational.com  

Contact: Kimberley Hogarth, Corporate Brand Manager kimberley.hogarth@gdsinternational.com / +44(0)117-9261420