Client Corner - Charlie Baker
Castlefield adviser, Thomas McCoy, was recently in conversation with one of our clients, Charlie Baker, about his upcoming cycling challenge and fundraiser in of aid of the charity Asylum Speakers.
Thomas McCoy (TM): Charlie, can you tell us about the challenge you are about to embark on?
Charlie Baker (CB): World Refugee Day will see me start my biggest cycling challenge yet, all in aid of the charity Asylum Speakers. I’ll be crossing the channel by small boat (Saillink), travelling the opposite way to those who are seeking safety and security in the UK. I will then cycle 1,000 miles in 10 days visiting 10 countries, while trying to raise £10,000. The fact that I am able to make this journey is a privilege. Imagine what it’s like for those without that privilege. It’s going to be a hard 10 days, but not as hard as for those who have had to flee their home countries for reasons outside their control.
TM: Can you tell us about the charity and how you got involved?
CB: Having followed the Asylum Speakers podcasts I was astounded at how much of the story of those displaced by war and other climate change related disasters was not being told. Current narratives around refugees and asylum seekers removes the real human stories, hiding them behind cold statistics.
As stated on their website, "Asylum Speakers exists to amplify voices, educate, inspire and debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions around migration today. The UN predicts that by 2050, 1 in 10 people will be displaced. In the next few decades, this will affect all of us, making it more important than ever to see the people behind these numbers."
TM: How did you become a Castlefield Client?
CB: I became a Castlefield client as my father left me some money in his will. I looked at where it was invested and decided that I should do my best to help make this money work for good. I asked around and Castlefield came up as one of the most ethical options.
TM: Why do you feel investing in line with your values is important?
CB: We have the ability to use our money as a vehicle for positive change and we have to grab hold of these opportunities for influence wherever we can. Ethical investment can help with that, the financial returns may be lower than other options but what is the point of having ethics if you don't make them count in as much of your life as you can - we need to present our children with a future not an apology.
We have the ability to use our money as a vehicle for positive change and we have to grab hold of these opportunities for influence wherever we can.
TM: What are you hoping to achieve with this fundraiser?
CB: The founder oof the charity, Jaz O’Hara, told me that £10,000 would enable them to train up the next cohort of refugee speakers to tell their story to young people so we can amplify the real voices and experiences. I want to see if I can raise enough money for them to do that.
Together, we can build empathy and understanding for a community being targeted by fear based prejudice. Please consider donating to my fundraiser and sharing with others to build the momentum. I have covered all costs myself so 100% of the funds donated will go to Asylum Speakers.
Get involved
To read more about Charlie's challenge or support his fundraiser, you can view his Just Giving page here.
Written by Thomas McCoy