Synergy consultants take part in veteran support fundraiser
The annual March On fundraising drive is underway for veterans’ support organisation Soldier On, with 20 professionals from consulting firm Synergy Group lacing up to walk almost 3,000 kilometres this month.
Canberra-based consultancy Synergy Group is participating in this month’s March On challenge in support of veterans’ welfare group Soldier On, of which the consultancy has been a long-time pledge partner.
The challenge will see 20 ‘Synergites’, including CEO Toni Marzulli, cover at least 96 kilometres – the distance of the Kokoda Track – walking or running across the month of March, with the team hoping to raise $20,000 for Soldier On.
Established in 2012, Soldier On is an independent not-for-profit organisation offering a variety of services to support current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families in transitioning to civilian life, including in areas such as mental health, employment, education, and community participation.
Soldier On currently supports more than 10,000 Australians via its evidence-based, trauma informed approach.
Central to this model is Soldier On’s Pathways Program, which provides training and career opportunities in collaboration with corporate pledge partners who make a commitment to being recruitment-friendly. Synergy has been a Platinum Pledge Partner for the past five years, and operates the Next Steps Veterans Career Discovery program to educate returned soldiers on how their existing skills are transferable to the private sector.
“Veterans are a fundamentally important part of our business and we really enjoy the energy they bring,” Synergy stated. “Transitioning after years of service can be demanding, so creating opportunities to bridge between the veteran – their values and beliefs – and Synergy’s principles-based approach is critical to providing a meaningful next step. Our support of Soldier On reflects our ongoing commitment to assisting veterans and their families.”
In addition to Platinum Pledge Partner status, Synergy has also signed back on as a Platinum sponsor for Soldier On’s sold-out upcoming National Gala Ball fundraiser in Canberra (tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available for galas to be held in other state capitals over the course of the year), and has previously served as chief sponsor for Soldier On’s inaugural charity golf day, which brought many veterans together for a round on the greens.
Now, 20 Synergites are strapping on their running shoes, committing to a collective total of 2,888 kilometers, with some choosing to add a Kokoda ‘return leg’ or more – including Synergy partner and former ADF director general of military strategy Michael Mahy.
The team last week kicked off their March On campaign with an early morning BBQ and walk around Lake Burley Griffin, and have so far completed almost 500 kilometers over the overall goal.
