BUSINESS LIFE
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Historic North East brand Ringtons has team up with The Children’s Foundation to deliver first-time parents a “moment of calm”.
Ringtons has donated 750 boxes of tea and biscuits to the charity’s Baby Box project, which delivers packages to first-time parents across the North East.
Over the past year, 110 boxes have been gifted across Newcastle and Gateshead with a further 750 to be delivered by August this year, including donations to families in North Tyneside and Northumberland.
The concept was inspired by the baby boxes delivered in Finland. Each each parcel is packed with toys and books that encourage playing, laughing, reading, singing, and counting, as well as other essential items.
Sean Soulsby, CEO of The Children’s Foundation, said: “The North East has the second-highest rate of low income and deprivation in the UK after Inner London and these boxes are needed more than ever. We want to say a big thank you to everyone at Ringtons on behalf of North East parents.”
Squeezy cheese brand Primula has donated £25,000 to five charities, including two in the North East.
The sum comes on the back of a radio campaign across the Heart and Smooth stations which encouraged 463 nominations for charities and good causes.
Durham charity I’m George’s Mate, which was founded by the family of a teenager who attempted to take his own life last year, is one of the recipients of the money and will use the funds to support its awareness campaign around teen mental health, including funding walk-and-talk groups.
Meanwhile Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group, which provides safe and creative spaces for families in the area, will use the funds to hire specialist equipment for the twice-yearly shows.
Lisa Thornton, head of marketing at Primula, said: “As a brand deeply rooted in the North East, Primula is thrilled to mark its centenary by giving back to our community.
“Our support for local good causes not only reflects our long-standing commitment to the region but also highlights the incredible work being done right here on our doorstep.”
Housebuilder Lovell Partnerships has raised £15,184 for North East homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing.
It is part of the first year of fundraising for Lovell’s partnership with the not-for-profit organisation.
Activities included a charity golf day, which generated £10,863 and two members of the firm’s North East team, Phil Jones, head of land and partnerships and Claire Etherington, senior quantity surveyor, participating in The Great North Run.
Oasis is in its 40th year and is a Christian homelessness charity that supports people across the North East and South London - tackling the causes of homelessness and also supporting women to escape domestic abuse.
Phil Jones, head of land and partnerships at Lovell, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of the eam over the past 12 months.
“During this time we’ve helped raise thousands which will go a long way towards making a difference to so many lives.”
PD Ports has partnered with North East charity Daisy Chain to share mutual support.
The move is intended to improve the lives of autistic and neurodivergent people across the region.
It will see PD Ports provide financial support for Daisy Chain’s annual retreats for young service users and volunteering from its staff at the charity’s Calf Fallow Farm headquarters, in Stockton, and its fundraising store on Portrack Lane.
In return, PD Ports says it will benefit from Daisy Chain’s expertise in efforts to improve its organisational knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, as well as accessing training to inform its internal policies and practices.
Frans Calje, chief executive officer of PD Ports, said: “This is an alliance that aims to make us a better employer to our neurodivergent workforce, while supporting Daisy Chain in its great work.
“It would have been very easy for us to hand over some money to Daisy Chain, pat ourselves on the back and consider it job done, but we wanted to engage meaningfully with Neeraj and his team, and they with us, to help us to make lasting improvements that will benefit not only our current employees but also potential candidates in future.”