How ‘Plaster it Purple’ is driving social impact

As part of techUK Social Value Week, Leidos UK are spotlighting impactful collaborations that deliver meaningful social value. Our standout initiative is the ‘Plaster it Purple’ campaign, a joint effort between Leidos and Glasgow Warriors, which has raised over £90,000 for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity over the past six years.

Leidos employees in Glasgow have long expressed their desire to engage more deeply with their local community, and our employees’ families in Glasgow have personally benefited from the outstanding care provided by the Glasgow Children’s Hospital. Seeing a shared commitment to integrity, inclusion, and collaboration with the Warriors, they launched ‘Plaster it Purple’- an annual campaign that leverages a Warriors fixture as a fundraising event.

More than a fundraising milestone, it’s become a meaningful expression of the values Leidos and Glasgow Warriors share. Community, compassion and collaboration sit at the heart of both organisations, and these shared principles continue to guide our work together as part of the Warriors’ 'Fighting for our Families' campaign and our social impact as an organisation.

The funds raised to date have helped the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity provide life-saving equipment, support services for families, and fund entertainment for young patients facing extended hospital stays. The initiative has also encouraged Warriors players to engage more with the hospital, with visits to children undergoing treatment.

Since 2021, Leidos has donated more than £30,500 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. This contribution has helped fund a Play Specialist for a full year, supported the running of a bedroom at Crossbasket House for an entire year, and ensured the Bereavement and Financial Inclusion Services could continue for three months. The donation has also enabled the charity to support 388 families facing financial hardship during some of their most difficult times.

The campaign’s influence has reached the wider community. Local schools now participate, and corporate sponsors have joined, organising Christmas gift-wrapping initiatives and sponsored events. As part of the 'Fighting for our Families' campaign, local rugby clubs have held Race Nights, car washes and BBQs to help raise funds. Supply chain partners also engage through Business Club events. Leidos has supported the Warriors in enhancing their social value efforts, including hosting a ‘Women in Data’ event, facilitated by sports presenter Emma Dodds. This event brought together professionals to discuss how data can be better harnessed to drive innovation and growth across industries. The session explored how individuals and businesses can use data more effectively to understand their fields better, make informed decisions, and build more inclusive, evidence-led practices.

Sustainability is also a priority. The Warriors have taken meaningful steps to reduce single-use plastics, introduced ‘Quiet Training’ sessions for fans with sensory sensitivities, and launched Aoife’s Sensory Bus to provide a calm space on matchdays. As part of last season’s Plaster It Purple, Leidos also invited children in the hospital to design an Eco Warrior poster. The winning entries were made into eco-flags and handed out at the match, offering a moment for the young artists while helping raise awareness of environmental issues in a fun and visible way.

In addition to external impact, the campaign has also supported the wellbeing of Leidos employees. Through our partnership with the Glasgow Warriors, staff have benefited from healthy eating workshops, sleep management sessions, and unlimited workout videos. These initiatives aim to promote healthier lifestyles and support employee wellbeing.

A recent highlight of this commitment was the smoothie bike challenge, where employees were joined by the Glasgow Warriors and blended smoothies by pedalling stationary bikes to encourage healthy eating, in support of Plaster it Purple. These activities are part of the broader commitment Leidos makes to supporting employee wellbeing, as detailed within our Wellness Hub.

Plaster it Purple demonstrates how corporate partnerships drive lasting external and internal social value. By embedding social responsibility into their culture, businesses can create sustained benefits for communities. The campaign is a key example of how shared values and working together with purpose can make a real difference, impacting the hospital, the team, and the community it serves.

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