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Companies based at office space Generator Studios stepped up for local children’s charity The Bubble Foundation by taking part in a 300,000 step challenge throughout September.

Teams from businesses including Gardiner Richardson, Allego, Onyx Health and Epic Social aimed to walk 10,000 steps a day to raise awareness and funds for the charity, which supports the work of the Great North Children’s Hospital team on the children’s bone marrow transplant unit, which treats babies born without an immune system. The workers completed 10.2m steps during ‘Steptember’ to raise £4,730, which has been match funded by the building’s landlord to give the charity a £9,460 boost.

Anna Hodgson, trustee for The Bubble Foundation, who works at brand communications agency Gardiner Richardson, said: “As a local business, it’s fantastic to be able to do our bit to support a charity on our doorstep. The charity means a lot to me, as it’s all for babies and young children, helping to make their stay in hospital as positive as possible; and giving them the best possible opportunities.�

Zack Sorkin at Sorkin Brown, which manages Generator Studios, said: “It’s fantastic to see our tenants coming together to raise money for The Bubble Foundation. Everyone has embraced the community spirit of Generator Studios and is taking the opportunity to get to know each other, work as a team and exercise on their lunch breaks.�

A North East renewable energy installation specialist has won a national award for its efforts to tackle fuel poverty across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ. º£½ÇÊÓƵ Energy Management (º£½ÇÊÓƵEM) last week scooped the Fuel Poverty and Vulnerable Customer Support of the Year trophy at the National Energy Efficiency Awards.

The ceremony, at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole, brought businesses and experts from across the energy efficiency industry together. Comedian Jason Manford hosted the event and presented º£½ÇÊÓƵEM directors Steven Copeland and Chris Snaith with the award, which recognised organisations “going the extra mile to help people in difficult circumstancesâ€�.

º£½ÇÊÓƵEM beat eight other finalists to the award, having helped install energy saving solutions in over 9,000 homes over the past 12 months.

Mr Copeland, º£½ÇÊÓƵEM CEO, said: “We are beyond proud to have been presented with this prestigious award. We have invested heavily in our marketing and advertising efforts over the past couple of years to target those in traditionally hard to reach communities who may be experiencing fuel poverty. We are now seeing those efforts really bear fruit.â€�

Newcastle University has announced a partnership with wealth management company Raymond James, Monument to support an initiative striving to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people. IntoUniversity is a pioneering charity that offers educational support to over 50,000 underprivileged young people every year across 41 centres in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, with the Newcastle initiative offering support to young people across Newcastle through education support and outreach. Its mission is to tackle educational inequality by providing programmes in communities where young people are least likely to attend university and most likely to live in poverty.

IntoUniversity Newcastle has received a new five-year pledge from Raymond James, Monument, based close to Newcastle city centre, which is keen to give back to the local community. The company’s financial support means the Newcastle East Centre will be able to provide essential services to 1,000 students each year, creating life-changing opportunities for local young people.

Gary Fawcett, branch principal, said: “Our pledge aims to help address educational disparities and empower underprivileged young people across Newcastle with four key impacts: local impact, long-term commitment, social mobility, and measurable outcomes. Around 60% of students who use IntoUniversity go on to apprenticeships, degrees, or higher education of some sort, that otherwise wouldn’t have done, which is an amazing result.�

Silverstone Building Consultancy has held a celebration with staff to mark 15 years in business, having grown from one office to three, two employees to 15, and more than tripling its annual order book. Founding director Richard Farrey left King Sturge – now Jones Lang LaSalle – in 2009 to set up the business in a small office on Dean Street in Newcastle. The team is now based in a four-floor office on Grey Street, Newcastle, and has also launched a further two offices in Leeds and London.

Directors Mr Farrey, Phil Bone, Ben Rennocks and Paul Wharton have their sights on further growth, including establishing an office in Manchester. Mr Farrey said: “We’ve project managed the construction and refurbishment of some fantastic buildings and provided lots of valuable, expert advice related to acquisition surveys, dilapidations, defects and planned maintenance over the last 15 years. It’s easy to get your head stuck in the day-to-day so it’s satisfying to look back and reflect on just how much we have to be proud of.�

North East sporting legend Alan Shearer has thanked workplace technology specialist Agilico, who raised £23,500 for his foundation by taking park in the Great North Run. Agilico took all 35 places for the Alan Shearer Foundation in the world’s biggest half marathon, the Great North Run. The foundation provides facilities and therapies for people with diverse abilities and acute sensory impairments.

Mr Shearer said: “We are delighted with the amount raised by the Agilico team. These vital funds will help our Centre provide free access to a range of facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms, outdoor play areas and therapy sessions. Agilico’s unwavering commitment to support my Foundation is highly appreciated, and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts.�

Warren Colby, Agilico North director, said: “Running for me isn’t fun, but it’s necessary to raise the funds to make an impact for this cause which means so much to us all here at Agilico. And it was truly worth it seeing the money we raised! I would like to thank everyone for their donations; it is so appreciated!�