The insurance industry has a great reputation for its efforts with both charities and the communities in which it works and Peter Chamberlain, director of Canberra-based brokerage AllInsure, is a prime example.
Chamberlain had long donated to charity efforts on a sporadic basis but a conversation with his brother, famous AFL umpire ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlin, saw the brothers - alongside their third brother Brian – decide to launch their own charity. A loss close to home became a “catalyst” for action with one of Chamberlain’s best friends taking his own life - and it was then decided that the brothers needed to act on mental health. The Chamberlain Foundation was born in 2015.
Search and compare insurance product listings for Charities from specialty market providers here
“I have always been taught a really strong focus from my parents and family of supporting those who support you, giving back to those who have given to you, and making a difference where you can – so I have always had that from a young age,” Chamberlain told Insurance Business.
As a business, AllInsure has donated over $500,000 to charity and community organisations over the last five years, with the Chamberlain Foundation set to donate over $200,000 this year. However, Chamberlain said the funds raised are just one part of the equation.
“There is not really a hard cap on the amount of money we make but there is a hard cap on the amount of time we have got,” Chamberlain continued. “There is no reason at all why every person in the insurance industry cannot donate some of their time. And that would make an enormous difference to the community that we live in.”
Last weekend, the Chamberlain Foundation had its second annual ‘Chambo Challenge’ which saw teams attempt to complete as many laps of a 3km, 50+ obstacle course as they could over six hours, which Chamberlain hopes will raise close to $60,000 for mental health charity R U OK?
Later this year the foundation will host the ‘Razor Ride’, an 800km bike ride through Victoria that hopes to raise a further $80,000 for GriefLine.
“I think most insurance brokers are doing reasonably well for themselves. It is a very good industry to be in and it gives us the ability to make choices in how we live our life and what we do,” Chamberlain said. “I think it is incumbent upon us that we do for others what we can.”
Related stories:
From lead generator, to industry leader
Director reveals his key to the future for brokers
