At KAT Marketing, we are always looking for ways to build on our commitment to creating positive social and environmental change and in 2025, we again deepened our roots in the community through educational outreach, charitable giving, cultural sponsorships, green initiatives and inclusive employment practices.
Last year, we sponsored nine community events and charities, offered five work experience placements to support young talent and created full-time employment for an apprentice and a graduate intern.
We carried out eight education and career mentoring engagements at schools, colleges and the University of Essex and staged mental health awareness activities including the konectbus Chatty Bus campaign.
We also continued our enduring 19-year partnership with children's charity, the NSPCC, supporting Childhood Day with fundraising walks and public collections and hosting a quiz night to boost both awareness and funds.
The KAT team extended our support of charities to include CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably – St Helena Hospice, Compassionate Communities and also championed a number of smaller charities with free PR support including Sands, which offers help to anyone affected by the loss of a baby.
Our KAT team played a leading role in events including the Green Growth Summit, Rural Connection, Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy launch and BizzFest, and again sponsored the Tendring4Growth Business Awards including judging the Commitment to the Community category.
We provided sponsorship and operational support for the Boxted 10K and Colchester Half Marathon, including manning water stations, fielding a running team and offering website audit services. Never ones to rest on our laurels, our support has already been extended to confirm our sponsorship of the 2026 event.
At KAT Marketing, we have developed a reputation for innovation (and having fun!). Our MD Katie Skingle was at the wheel of our Flintstones-theme kart as it careered down North Hill for the Colchester Soapbox Rally – where we won the coveted public vote!
Additional community actions have included the purchase of three bicycles for The DOXA Project, an education and social support programme in Kenya, as well as donating toys for rescue cats and participating in local litter-picking events.
The arts are close to our heart as demonstrated by our continued sponsorship of the Mercury Theatre and active participation in community productions like the Boxted Pantomime (oh, yes we did!). Our ongoing cultural support helps to maintain vibrant creative opportunities across Colchester, helping to promote the Mercury as a creative and cultural resource. KAT has also been a lead partner in the Colchester Has Talent competition, giving a professional platform for young performers.
As we begin a new year, we reflect on our mission to make a difference, to enrich lives and work for a better, more sustainable future. That determination has not waned, and we remain dedicated to building a more inclusive and empowered future.
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