International Volunteer Day (IVD) is celebrated each year on 5th December. It is a day dedicated to acknowledging the impact that can be made through volunteering, celebrating the spirit of volunteerism, and giving thanks to those who give up their time to support good causes. This IVD, we want to recognise the contribution of the many K2 employees across regions and teams who have taken part in volunteering initiatives this year.
In 2022, we introduced our charitable leave programme, offering all K2 employees two days charitable leave per annum to be used to take part in volunteering. The programme has gone from strength to strength since launch, with the number of charitable leave days taken increasing by 113% in 2024, and the number of participating employees rising by 104%.
Global Head of Compliance and ESG, Linda Rafferty, comments:
“It has been incredibly heartening to see how engagement with our volunteering programme has continued to build since 2022. We introduced charitable leave because we want members of the K2 Family to feel empowered to give back to their local communities and supported to make the time to provide hands-on assistance to charities.”
Linda continues:
“Research consistently shows that volunteering isn’t just good for the community, it’s good for the volunteers themselves, so it’s great to be able to offer an employee benefit that can have powerful positive effects on both emotional and physical wellbeing. Not only that, but our employees tell us that they enjoy the opportunities to spend time with colleagues from different departments and learn new skills. Doing good, feels good!”
Appointed representatives in each of our office locations take the lead on co-ordinating volunteering opportunities for their respective teams. These representatives, or Charity Champions, are also responsible for maintaining relationships with charity partners in region.
From helping out at a food bank in Texas, to taking part in a gardening day at a children’s hospice in the UK, K2 team members have participated in a varied programme of volunteering activities around the globe throughout 2025, with more to come before the end of the year.
One of the K2 Sweden Charity Champions, Mandy Liew-Persson, is excited for the seasonal activities they have planned in the lead up to Christmas:
“I am really looking forward to volunteering at Skåne Stadsmission’s Christmas gift shop later this month. Skåne Stadsmission are a non-profit organisation that provide food and essential services for people living in vulnerable situations, and this Christmas they are offering free gifts to children, with families in need invited to select two gifts per child.”
Mandy continues:
“This is a lovely concept which allows parents to reclaim some power and autonomy over their situation. It allows them to have a sense of normalcy by picking out presents for their kids. It will be very special to be a part of this, volunteering with my teammates, and making an impact within the local community.”
In addition to signing up to K2 organised activities, employees are also encouraged to source their own opportunities, enabling them to support charities that they have a personal connection to.
Today, we want to celebrate the many employees across regions and teams who have contributed to local communities by participating in volunteering initiatives this year. To all those who supported youth programmes, environmental projects, community events, or skills-based mentoring, thank you for giving your time.
