Each year, Fitwise’s CSR Team proudly supports a local charity through activities that help raise both awareness and vital funds. For the 2025/2026 financial year, we were delighted to partner with West Lothian Women’s Aid.
West Lothian Women’s Aid provides invaluable support to women and families across West Lothian. Offering safe accommodation, legal guidance and emotional support to those affected by abuse. Their work helps individuals and families feel safe, supported and empowered as they move forward on their journey to recovery.
In August last year, Kat and Adele visited the Fitwise office to share more about the important work they do. They also provided information, resources and support materials for our team, ensuring that anyone who may need help themselves, or know someone who does, could access the right support.
Fundraising for West Lothian Women's Aid
Bake Sales
As a team of self-confessed sweet treat lovers, a bake sale is always guaranteed to be a hit! Throughout the year, we held several bake sales to raise funds for West Lothian Women’s Aid, with favourites including digestive truffles and, more recently, chocolate slab (kudos to Morgan for introducing us to these!). These events are always a great opportunity for the team to showcase their baking talents.
Our August Walk-A-Thon
We understand the positive impact that exercise and staying active can have on mental wellbeing. With that in mind, our main summer fundraising activity was a team walk-a-thon.
Together, we set ourselves the challenge of walking 1,980km to mark the 45th anniversary of West Lothian Women’s Aid. From dog walks and beach strolls to lunchtime laps, the team walked 2,597km throughout August, exceeding our target by 617km!
Christmas Gift Bags
Christmas is a time for giving, and that spirit was very much alive at Fitwise. This year, our team put together gift bags for service users at West Lothian Women’s Aid. Filled with sweet treats, hot water bottles, toiletries, cosy socks and face masks.
In total, we donated 15 gift bags, each packed to the brim with thoughtful items. Employee Representative Sophie only just managed to squeeze them all into her car to deliver in time for Christmas!
Pub Quizzes
A firm favourite in the Fitwise office, our charity pub quizzes returned this year with events held at Christmas and again in March.
Everyone who takes part contributes a small entry fee, with the winner receiving a prize along with eternal bragging rights. Between Sophie’s notoriously tricky questions and Jade accidentally reusing a question from a previous quiz, these afternoons are always highly competitive, full of laughter and plenty of team spirit.
Volunteering
In March, several members of our team rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at one of the charity’s safe accommodation spaces, helping redecorate.
Although it was a tight squeeze (and one of the warmest days of the year at that point) the team thoroughly enjoyed getting involved. They also left with a newfound appreciation for sanding walls and using polyfilla!
Collections
Alongside our fundraising events, the team also collected a wide range of homeware items to help furnish the safe accommodation spaces provided by West Lothian Women’s Aid.
Donations included blankets, throws and cushions, as well as decorative items and practical kitchen and bathroom essentials. These contributions helped create welcoming and comfortable spaces for those accessing the charity’s services.
Across the year, we raised more than £500 for West Lothian Women’s Aid. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts, volunteered their time, donated items or simply got involved along the way. Every contribution helped make a difference.
Future Plans
As we move into the 2026/2027 financial year, we are pleased to announce our new charity partner: St Andrew’s Hospice.
Our CSR Team is already busy planning this year’s fundraising calendar (with one bake sale having already taken place). We look forward to raising as much as possible for another incredible local charity!
