Hands up who used to be in the Scouts or Brownies? In my role as founder-chair of Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, I ...
Hands up who used to be in the Scouts or Brownies?
In my role as founder-chair of Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, I recently paid a visit to the 2nd Billingham Scout Group to meet the kids and the brilliant volunteers.
Teesside is full of amazing people like the Scout leaders, who generously give up their own spare time for no financial recognition simply to do good in our community.
My visit came after the Foundation donated £1,000 to the Billingham Scouts to ensure underprivileged members of the group were able to attend a three-day adventure camp.
It was all part of our very first £20,000 Golden Giveaway. Previously we’ve often shared out £10,000 between local charities and community groups – but our supporters have ensured we’ve had such a fantastic year of fundraising that we’ve now increased it to £20,000 each time!Representatives of the Foundation’s patrons – patriotic local companies and individuals who want to share their success with other Teessiders - presented cheques ranging from £500 to £2,500 to 14 other Teesside groups who took part in the £20,000 Golden Giveaway.
These were:
• £5,000 presented by Sue Theobald of Barclays Middlesbough to the Riding for the Disabled unit, the Unicorn Centre in Middlesbrough.
• £2,500 presented to EVA Women’s Aid by Nigel Willis of First Choice Labels to support victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence in the Redcar and Cleveland area.
• £2,000 presented to The Bungalow Partnership by Gary Dawson of AV Dawson to provide
emotional and psychological support to children and their families in Middlesbrough and Stockton.
• £1,500 presented to Park End Primary School of Middlesbrough by Elaine Bunn of Nortech to enhance the school nursery’s outdoor learning area.
• £1,500 presented to Middlesbrough Catholic Fellowship by Jayne Stephenson to provide a holiday in North Yorkshire for those with disabilities and provide respite for their families.
• £1,000 presented to the 2nd Billingham Scout Group by Christine Stobbs of the Wilton Group to fund a three-day camp for underprivileged members of the group.
• £1,000 presented to Sowing Seeds Ministries by David Henderson of px Group to provide a summer break for Stockton people who struggle to fund holidays of their own.
• £1,000 presented to Redcar and Cleveland MIND by Foundation chairman Andy Preston to cover running costs for their Mobile Mindspace campervan to visit rural areas of East Cleveland.
• £750 presented to A Way Out by Andrew Rowe of Evolution Business and Tax Advisors to cover resource and volunteer costs around helping Teesside women involved in survival sex work.
• £750 presented to Our Version of Events by Jordan Clayton of Hunters estate agents to fund a trip to London for Teesside adults with disabilities.
• £750 presented to Tees Valley Rural Community Council by Yvonne Ferguson of Middlesbrough FC to help the old and vulnerable to stay in their homes longer.
• £750 presented to Relate North East by Ken Devereux of Devereux Transport to fund a bursary scheme for those suffering relationship breakdown in Stockton and Hartlepool.
• £500 presented to Trinity Family Friendly Centre by David Henderson of px Group to support the community arm of Trinity Methodist Church.
• £500 presented to The Moses Project by Andrew Rowe of Evolution to fund the rehabilitation of adult males with drug and alcohol dependency problems.
• £500 presented to Hugs for Homeless by Elaine Bunn of Nortech to provide food, drink and clothing to homeless Teessiders.
The next £20,000 Golden Giveaway will launch in May. Tees community groups who would like to be considered for funding should look out for details – or you can apply for a grant by the 9th May deadline via www.teessidecharity.org.uk
For more information about me, visit the Andy Preston website now. You can also keep up-to-date with what I am doing on the Andy Preston Facebook page. Follow me on the Andy Preston Twitter page for regular updates.
