North East business life: charity, community and award events of the week

Property specialist Bradley Hall hosted its annual Festive Fundraiser and raised £55,000 for local charities NE Youth, Bravehearts of the North East, and Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation. The event, which welcomed 600 guests to The Fed in Gateshead, was supported by key sponsors – Housebuilders Strata Homes and Pubs with Rooms company The Inn Collection Group. Since the launch of its annual fundraiser, Bradley Hall has raised and donated over £300,000 for local charities, community action projects and grassroot sports clubs.

It has contributed to helping over 30 different regional charities and sporting groups including NE Youth, Marie Curie Newcastle’s Hospice, Heel & Toe Children’s Charity, Morpeth Rugby Club, ABF The Soldier’s Charity, Glendale Agricultural Society, as well as local food and toy banks across the region.

Cassie Moyse, group marketing director at Bradley Hall said: “Last year’s Festive Fundraiser was a great success and we’re delighted to have enjoyed yet another fantastic event this year, in partnership with Inn Collection Group, Strata and Portfolio North. Having The Inn Collection Group and Strata on board allowed us to raise even more funds for these deserving charities in exchange for some excellent exposure for the businesses.

“Since starting our Christmas fundraising event a few years ago, we have raised a staggering amount for local organisations, which wouldn’t have been achievable without the support of our sponsors, guests and the charities involved – as well as all the very generous people and organisations who donate raffle and auction prizes every year. Hundreds of charity and community service users have been supported by the funds raised and donated and we are truly grateful for everyone who has been a part of our Festive Fundraisers.”

Contractors working in Sunderland came together to deliver goods to the city’s vulnerable residents, following an event organised by the council.

Homeless people, ex-forces, vulnerable residents and families in need benefited from donations from the authority’s construction contractors. Businesses including Wates, Keir, VolkerStevin and National Grid attended an event organised to collect as many items of food, clothing, homeware and gift vouchers as possible, after being given shopping lists of essential items. Thousands of items were collected including new and second hand furniture, electrical goods, leisure equipment, games, craft items, stationery, homeware items and consumables with an estimated value of £10,000.

Items were handed to the council’s Community Resilience Team after the event to be distributed to organisations across the city. Terry Hanlon, CSR manager for Keir in the North East – the firm that will build both Culture House and the new Eye Hospital - said: “This challenge is a great example of how the construction industry can come together to make an impact on people’s lives, especially those vulnerable in our communities. Social value is core to our business and something we are really proud to do.”

Mark Denim, project director at VolkerStevin, the firm that is building the new Wear footbridge, said: “It’s great to be linking in with the other contractors today, so we can create a better difference for the people of Sunderland as well as the infrastructure we’re building. I think it’s great that we’re actually going to work together to deliver loads of items and actually try and bring benefits - that our infrastructure projects will bring too - to the people of Sunderland as early as possible.”

Newcastle-based Mincoffs Solicitors organised a takeover of the Town Moor Parkrun to surprise one of its longest serving solicitors, consultant Howard Gold, on his 80th birthday.

A keen runner, Mr Gold has been involved with the parkrun for many years and now supports the organisation as a volunteer, with his birthday celebration marking the 183rd time he has volunteered for the event. More than 80 staff, family and friends took park in the parkrun in specially-designed ‘Running for Gold’ t-shirts to show their appreciation for Mr Gold, who joined the firm in 1969 and worked closely with founder Harry Mincoff. The event was organised with the support of Town Moor Parkrun, the Heaton Harriers and Urban Café.

He said: “I had no idea that anything was planned and it was a massive surprise to see everyone at the parkrun. After getting over the initial shock, I really enjoyed the morning and I’m very appreciative to everyone who went to such lengths to acknowledge my great age.”

Julie Parr, chief operating officer at Mincoffs, said: “Howard didn’t want any fuss for his birthday but reaching the significant milestone of 80 years could not go unrecognised by us, considering all he has given to Mincoffs.

Findley Roofing has donated thousands of pounds worth of IT equipment to a Hartlepool primary school. Blackhall Primary School has been gifted 11 touchscreen computers by the company, which has previously helped the community by providing equipment and uniform vouchers to help families through the cost-of-living crisis.

Dean Coombe, managing director of Findley Roofing, said: “As a major local employer, we know the struggles currently facing many people across our community. Many of our team are parents themselves and have children at the school, so we know times are tight - that’s why we wanted to do whatever we could to help.”

Headteacher Rachel Leonard added: “The computers have been used to upgrade the technology in classrooms from years 1-6. This has made it easier for teachers to setup and deliver their lessons. They are a great addition.”

North East based holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts raised £53,000 for its youth charity The Prince’s Trust at its gala dinner.

Over 400 guests came together for the event at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square for the event, hosted by Gyles Brandreth, where they saw performances from Parkdean Resorts’ Troupers, and heard first-hand about the power of The Prince’s Trust from young ambassador Kyle Frank, who told how he built his vegan skincare brand, Frank’s Remedies, with help from the Trust’s Enterprise programme.

Parkdean Resorts first partnered with The Prince’s Trust at the beginning of 2023 and has already delivered on its pledge to fundraise a minimum of £50,000 within the first two years of the partnership. Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We are delighted to have raised substantial funds for The Prince’s Trust at this year’s Gala Dinner. The money raised will help the charity continue their invaluable work supporting 11 to 30-year-olds to build the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn.”

Sharon Arbuckle, Senior Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We are so grateful to Parkdean Resorts for championing The Prince’s Trust throughout the year. We had a fantastic evening at the gala dinner and the funds raised will make a huge difference in giving the young people we support every chance to succeed.”