Firms donate bags of aid to support charity
A cancer support charity based in Sunderland has been given a £2,400 boost.
The Hug in a Bag charity has received the cash from construction and engineering firm from Tolent and house group Gentoo which will enable the charity to provide 60 bags containing gifts and information leaflets to every person diagnosed with breast cancer at the University Hospital of North Durham.
The charity was set up in 2006 with the aim to give people a ‘hug’ after being diagnosed with breast cancer – in the form of the gift bags containing everything from candles, soaps, note pads and medical advice.
The team of seven volunteers work out of an office in Houghton.
Tolent is currently on site for Gentoo on a new housing development in Houghton, creating 49 affordable homes for rent.
The donation follows a recent £20,000 donation of laptops to a local school and sponsorship of school breakfast clubs.
Chris Price, regional director of Tolent, said: “It’s a pleasure to be supporting the team at Hug in a Bag, especially at a time where those working in the charity sector need our help more than ever.
“The commitment we pledge across every site to enrich the communities we work in is something we take very seriously and this wouldn’t have been possible without the support and collaboration with Gentoo.”
Joanne Gordon, development director at Gentoo Group, said: “We’re extremely proud to be able to support The Hug in a Bag charity to continue to deliver its brilliant donations for those diagnosed with breast cancer, through our partnership with Tolent.
“Having a positive impact on our local communities and residents is vital for us when delivering new build schemes and I’m delighted that we can continue to work together to support and enhance the local area.”
The Brockwell Green development in Houghton is being delivered in partnership with Homes England and will see two and threebedroom homes as well as two-bedroom bungalows built on the site.
The scheme pays homage to the area’s local mining heritage and is named after a pit line in at the former Houghton Colliery.