A charitable fund set up by Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP over 20 years ago has passed £700,000 in grants.
The Muckle Fund, run in association with the Community Foundation, was set up in 2002 as a way for the business to give back to people, communities and good causes across the North of England. Since then, it has awarded 737 grants totalling £713,679 to charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations across the North East.
Muckle gives 1% of its annual profits to the fund, which supports charities and organisations that help young people, tackle disadvantage, improve social mobility, and champion causes close to the hearts of Muckle and its people. Organisations to have benefited include the Country Trust, which has received £9,100 in grants to help fund trips for North East children from disadvantaged backgrounds to farms. Two grants totalling £8,000 have also been awarded to Bedlington-based all-girls’ classroom provision charity Choysez, which works with young women throughout Northumberland with programmes to help gain nationally recognised qualifications.
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Hugh Welch, senior partner, said: “Since the fund was set up over 20 years ago, we have worked closely with numerous charities and organisations. They all provide vital and valuable services across the region, and we are proud to support their incredible work. As a firm, we remain dedicated to supporting their missions and making a positive impact on the community around us.”
TT2, the operator of the Tyne Tunnels , is giving £12,000 to 12 North East charities over the 12 days of Christmas to support those who find the festive period difficult. The first to receive their £1,000, on December 12, was the Teenage Cancer Trust North East which offers unique care and support, designed for and with young people impacted by cancer. On December 13 the firm delivered a cheque to Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter, and Bright Northumbria received the third day of Christmas four-figure cheque.
St Benedict’s Hospice, Cats Protection North/South Tyneside, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, Maggie’s Cancer Care, Anxious Minds, Crisis Skylight Newcastle, Pathways4All, Feeding Families and Oasis Community Housing will also receive £1,000 each.
COO at TT2, Shaun Simmons, said: “Many of these charities were personally chosen by people in our team. We are a strong community partner and are glad to be able to support these local charities who do a wonderful job of helping people, and animals, in need.”
Renewable energy specialists 0800 Repair and Oakes Energy , part of the PHS Group, are channelling their inner Santa Claus by delivering donations and gifts to charities across the North East in their 0800 Repair Sleigh. The Christmas delivery initiative, Project Sleigh, is a unique campaign which sees the companies work with clients and charities across the region to deliver a host of festive donations, ranging from food and toys to cash gifts for local communities.
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The collaborative effort has united councils, housing groups, and organisations to deliver goodwill across the region, involved charities such as NE Youth, Wansbeck Valley Food Bank, and Love Amelia.
Jason Oakes, director at Oakes Energy and 0800 Repair said: “Project Sleigh allows our clients to give back in a way that feels personal and impactful. Whether it’s toys for children, resources for food banks, or monetary support for grassroots organisations, the campaign is about spreading joy and making a difference during the festive season.”
North East holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts has pledged to increase its support for the Armed Forces next year by donating over 200 holidays worth over £150,000 to members of the military community and their families in 2025.
Throughout 2024 Parkdean Resorts donated 185 holidays across 21 of its holiday parks through partnerships with the Army Central Fund, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Parkdean Resorts also holds an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, the highest accolade a company can receive for its veteran-friendly recruitment processes and development opportunities.
Next year Parkdean Resorts will sponsor the Armed Forces Families Advocate(s) of the Year Award at the Celebrating Forces Families Awards, recognising the achievements and supporting roles played by military families.
Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We have so much respect for armed forces families for the resilience they show and sacrifices they make, facing unique challenges and standing strong behind those who serve. Bringing families together and creating unforgettable memories is at the heart of everything we do, so we’re delighted to give back to armed forces families by providing them with the opportunity to spend good quality time together. In 2025, we will be donating £150,000 worth of free holidays to military families from all walks of life to help them create happy memories.”
Prudhoe Community Partnership is encouraging volunteers from local businesses to get involved in an ambitious new programme of tree planting around the town.
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Working with national charity the Woodland Trust, the partnership is giving away free tree packs to organisations who will plant and look after the young saplings. The tree packs were supplied after a successful bid by the partnership – supported by Community Action Northumberland – and have been funded by lead partners Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Banking Group, OVO, Sofology and Simplyhealth.
The first local supporter of the initiative is the Essity tissue mill on Princess Way, where a group of apprentices planted a row of trees along the south west boundary of the site.
An Essity spokesman said: “Although we are now known as a hygiene and health company, we started life in Sweden as a forestry business and continue to support environmental initiatives such as community tree-planting schemes. As soon as we heard of the community partnership’s ambitious plans we were keen to get involved and would urge other businesses and organisations to back it as well.”
Adam Lawson, a surveyor in the Newcastle office agency team at Avison Young has helped local charity Eating Distress North East (EDNE) to find, secure and move into larger offices.
EDNE aims to provide support to all those living in the North East whose lives are affected by eating distress or eating disorders, by providing a range of services including one-to-one counselling, group support, information and training. It now occupies a new office base on Leazes Park Road with more counselling rooms, dedicated space for group and education sessions along with space to allow future growth.
Anne Fry, CEO EDNE, said: “Eating Distress North East are delighted with our new home and the stability it provides. I’m very grateful for Adam’s guidance and support through the acquisition process which was invaluable to us as a small charity.”
Mr Lawson said: “It was a pleasure to assist EDNE in their office acquisition. The new office will go a long way in helping the charity to deliver more of their specialist services in the region, as well as providing opportunity for growth.”
Sam Watts of Sintons also helped the charity with legal advice and lease documentation for their new office base.