IT firm chairman will be in the doghouse – for charity

The new chairman of IT company Systemagic is taking part in a unique fundraising challenge for charity – being locked in a dog kennel.

Martin Spiller, who became chairman of Systemagic last year, is one of a team of business men and women who are taking part in the 2016 Kennel Break for the Bath Cats & Dogs Home.

The annual event involves business people being locked in a kennel for an hour with just their laptops and their telephones with the task of raising £1,000 for the charity. If they don’t raise the money, they are then locked in for a further three hours to try to reach their target. The technology to run the challenge is being provided by Systemagic.

Martin said: “I’m weirdly looking forward to being locked in a kennel by Bath Cats & Dogs home and raising as much money as I can for the deserving animals. I plan to try to be locked in for as long as possible and will pretty much do anything provided the donation is big enough!”

In fact Martin has gone further and offered something in return for donations. He said: “For £50 I will deliver a personalised video (expertly taken by our marketing exec Becky) signing you a song or reciting a favourite poem. For £100 I will wear any clothing or outfit (supplied by you if I don’t have it) for ten minutes whilst inside (there has already been a request for me in cycling gear).

“For £200 you will own me for 20 minutes and you can message me instructions on what you want me to do during that time and for £500 you will get pretty much what you want as long as it’s in the spirit of the event.”

The Kennel Break takes place at the charity’s HQ at The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath on Friday June 10 from 11am. Martin’s fundraising page is here –

James Eades, managing director, of Systemagic, said: “We hope our colleagues, friends and clients will support Martin to reach his target and become Top Dog on the day. The charity needs donations and support to continuing its valuable work in the community.”