“Our aim is to increase the children’s tolerance, interest and respect for their friends, who may have different levels of ability, come from other cultures, speak a different language, or practice a different religion. Football is a great vehicle for learning these values in a fun atmosphere,” he explains.

The AGS Prague team has been involved with League5 from day one, providing much of the logistical support needed for events. However, this September they assisted Andrew in another matter.

A toy story

The League5 Kids Academy had held a charity market to raise money for Root For Mums, a Prague non-profit that provides material support for single mothers based on their specific needs. “By inviting the children to sell their toys at the market, we managed to raise 2,500 euros,” says Andrew. But although the market attracted more than 300 visitors, there were still many toys looking for a new home by the end of the day.

Learning of Andrew’s dilemma, the AGS team mobilised their resources. Soon, a truck, loaded with 700 kgs of toys and all manner of baby paraphernalia, was pulling up outside Family In Need, a charity that welcomes single mothers and their children who find themselves without a home.

A new beginning

By offering temporary accommodation and other forms of assistance, Family In Need supports its residents until they can once again ensure proper care for their children, reintegrate back into society and live a full life. To do this, the centre relies heavily on donations: baby food, cleaning products and, of course, toys.

Family In Need’s operations manager, Michaela Zdzieblová, took delivery of the donation. “These toys will travel with their new owners when they leave here. In a way, they represent a new beginning for the children and the mothers who pass through our doors,” she says.

For the AGS crew, delivering the toys to Michaela and her team is in keeping with the family values of the AGS Group. “The future is top of mind at AGS,” notes the group’s European network manager Eric Ponchaut. “These children are our future, and if the AGS Group can support the important work of the Family in Need team, then of course we will.

Andrew Argent, the founder of League5 Academy, is a semi-professional football player and has worked with great sports legends including Zinedine Zidane and Tony Parker. Andrew believes sports can unite people from all cultural backgrounds and can bring families closer together.

The Academy offered youngsters training once a week from June to September with professional trainers. The initial target was to reach a maximum of 30 children, however, interest in the event escalated quickly and almost 100 participants joined. In addition to the weekly training sessions, two successful summer camps were also organised and excitedly attended.

AGS Prague will continue to sponsor this initiative and supply goodie bags, filled with both educational and extracurricular material, to the young football stars.

AGS Movers Coussaert sponsored the ‘A la Française’ weekend on May 24-25, hosted in an area of Brussels favoured by French expats. AGS’ popular stand was one of 60 in a market of gastronomy, crafts and creativity celebrating the Belgian art of living à la Française.

UNITED KINGDOM

AGS Movers London participated with a stand in the recent ‘London Totally Expat Show 2014’ trade fair, attended by mobility providers and consultants. A competition at AGS’ stand saw a winner receive a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates.

SOUTH AFRICA

AGS Movers Johannesburg sponsored the Lycée Français Jules Verne school fête on May 31, also participating with a branded stand. As close on 1000 children attended along with their parents, it is the French school’s biggest annual event.

CZECH REPUBLIC

AGS Movers Prague branch recently participated in the Lycée Français de Prague’s school fair with a unique ‘Ali Baba’ game: children entered an AGS container with flashlights, recorded its contents on AGS packing lists, and the winner received a branded yoyo.

The comprehensive five-day ‘Essentials in International Moving’ seminar consisted of a classroom session, covering everything from professional packing services and loading to freight forwarding, quotations and contracts and insurance.  Site visits to sea, railway and air-freight terminals were also included.

At the time of the course Louis was Deputy Branch Manager for AGS Movers Morocco (he has since moved to AGS Movers Algeria), and what makes his achievement even more remarkable is that this was the first such FIDI Academy seminar he had attended.

“I was very proud that amongst other competitors it was an employee from AGS who was selected as the top student,” says Louis of the recognition. “What made that possible is the fact that AGS’ Future Branch Managers’ Training schedule is very broad: we really see all aspects of the removal industry and that helps in the FIDI Academy.”

Chantal Fera, FIDI Academy’s manager, stresses the importance of these seminars, which are held around four times a year (depending on demand).

“The FIDI Academy training seminars are unique because they are developed and delivered by industry experts,” she explains.

“Participants gain not only knowledge in all areas of international moving but also they do share their experience with 30 international colleagues and they make friends for life – which also means future business opportunities with trustful agents they know and they have worked with.”

AGS Morocco’s branch manager, Jean-Noël Boulnois, also congratulated Louis and his colleague Emilie Ducert – who participated in the same seminar and also received the FIDI EiM diploma.

“As AGS Morocco’s Branch Manager, I am of course proud of Louis; his success reflects the good training he was delivered by the branch”, says Jean-Noël. “The whole team of AGS Morocco congratulates and thanks them for representing us with brio”.