Architecture firms in Nottingham have joined forces to launch the Nottingham Architects’ Charity League (NACL) – a not-for-profit organisation aiming to raise as much money as possible for local charities through a fun annual competition.
Bringing the industry together to give back to local communities, the NACL has brought together architecture firms based in Nottingham that will compete annually in a fun challenge to raise money and awareness for local charities that each firm is partnered with.
Kick-starting the league is a bowling competition, which will mark the launch of the NACL and will be held at Tenpin Nottingham on Clifton Boulevard, Redfield Way on 17th May. Eight architectural teams of six will take part, each competing for the highest score to raise more money for their partner charities.
First place will receive £2,000, second and third place will receive £1,250, and team places four to eight will receive £500, totalling a figure of £7,000 for charities.
Each firm will have five slots and a wildcard slot for anyone who has donated more than £750, and the team can nominate an extra person or sponsor to attend on the day and bolster the team’s scores.
This year, the NACL comprises of Marchini Curran Associates supporting Juno Women’s Aid, CPMG Architects supporting The Television Workshop, Leonard Design supporting Tara’s Angels, Lathams Architecture + Urbanism supporting Hope Nottingham, Allan Joyce Architects supporting the Framework Housing Association, Franklin Ellis Architects supporting Nottinghamshire Hospice, Maber supporting the Nottingham Hospitals Charity who raise funds each year to transform services and facilities for patients at Nottingham’s hospitals, and GT3 Architects supporting Switch Up.
The event is also an opportunity for informal networking to develop new relationships between industry sponsors and architectural practices to create a more connected future. Generous sponsors of the launch event include SPECIFI, Unilin, Zentia, Altro, Ibstock Brick, DOMUS and ROCKWOOL.
Ahmed Elamin, director of the NACL and architectural designer at Marchini Curran Associates, said: “The basis of forming the NACL was always about local architects supporting local charities. The vital funds raised will have a real-world impact on the lives of people in Nottingham.
“Bringing the industry together to create a more connected future, we are excited to launch the NACL annual event and feel honoured that this organisation can help charities in the region. We thank the generosity of everyone involved and all of our sponsors and look forward to the future of the NACL.”
Matt Blakeley, regional director of RIBA East Midlands, said: “The RIBA represents the community of architects and those connected to the industry to strive for the betterment of design but also for a better society.
“At a local level we are keen to support our members to be positive role models in their communities, making strides to make a positive contribution wherever possible. Initiatives like the NACL are a great example of how collectively our community can have an impact in our local areas.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up where donations, no matter how big or small, can be made, at www.gofundme.com/f/theNACL.
