First there was Bob Geldof and Live Aid … now senior executives of leading UK recruitment advertising agencies have formed RecAid to raise funds for colleagues who lost redundancy pay when advertising agency Barkers went into administration recently.

By RecAid’s estimate, up to 250 people “lost their livelihoods and the redundancy pay they were promised” when they were let go just before the company went into administration. The newly-founded RecAid’s immediate aim is to raise £100,000 to ease the financial stress of those people “facing the greatest hardship”, said Andrew Wilkinson, chief executive officer of TMP Worldwide, a RecAid committee member.

He told Recruiter that some of the affected workers had worked for Barkers for 10 to 20 years and reflect a wide spectrum of pay.   

The first fund-raising event will be held on Friday, 17 July, at the Paramount Club in London’s Centre Point. Tickets cost £10 per person and up to 400 people can attend.

Administrator Kevin Murphy puts the number of affected ex-Barkers employees at “over 100” but said he couldn’t say if the number went as high as 200. However, he acknowledged, “for the higher paid, there will be a shortfall” in redundancy pay.

Following its entry into administration, Barkers was later sold to Penna, saving about 250 other jobs.

To attend the event, or offer to sponsor an event or donate cash or prizes, visit www.recaid.co.uk.