North East builders鈥 merchant J T Dove has announced it has raised 拢250,000 for CHUF (The Children鈥檚 Heart Unit Fund) over the last decade.
The Newcastle business鈥檚 team last year raised 拢33,847, helping it to reach the milestone figure for CHUF, which provides support to children and families undergoing vital cardiac care at the Freeman Hospital鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Heart Unit and other hospitals across the North.
J T Dove鈥檚 corporate charity partnership with Chuf was established 11 years ago when it began working together on the CHUF鈥檔鈥橞uilders project, which brought seven construction industry companies together to raise over 拢50,000.
At the start of the partnership J T Dove set a fundraising target of 拢30,000 over two years, but that has since been surpassed through the involvement of all the firm鈥檚 North East sites, which have involved its customers in fundraisers including fun days, golf days, sponsored walks, bike rides and bake sales.
Charlotte Campbell, director of CHUF, said: 鈥淥ur relationship with J T Dove is so important to us and their ongoing commitment continues to take us from strength to strength. Their loyal support has had a transformative impact on the Heart Hero community and we are so grateful for everything they have helped us to achieve.鈥
J T Dove and Chuf鈥檚 partnership was recognised at last year鈥檚 North East Charity awards where they won the corporate charity partnership category.
Juliette Coplin, marketing co-ordinator said: 鈥淭he award means so much to us because we have quite a few staff members in the business that have benefitted from Chuf鈥檚 support at the Freeman so we know that every penny we raise makes a real difference.鈥
North East businesses have come together after raising more than 拢270,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
GNAAS welcomed a number of regional businesses to a special event, held to thank existing supporters and introduce potential new partners to the life-saving work of the charity. The six-figure sum has been raised by the service鈥檚 corporate supporters in the North East, with 16 businesses currently involved in its corporate partner scheme, which sees organisations commit to raising a minimum of 拢5,000.
Companies at the event, which featured talks from GNAAS staff and former patients, included HMH Civils, Woodlands Hospital, Surge Marketing, GMI Construction, Universal Tankers, BTS Fabrications, Husqvarna, Miller Homes Teesside, and Agnese France Physiotherapy.
Joe Garcia, chief executive at GNAAS said: 鈥淚t was great to welcome our corporate partners to our headquarters and thank them for their continued support in helping to fund our vital service and keep our helicopters in the air. At the moment GNAAS requires 拢9.3m a year to remain operational and ensure our critical care team are able to help those in need across the region. This is why we鈥檙e incredibly grateful for the support we receive from businesses and individuals, and look forward to working with them for many years to come.鈥
Marcia Atkinson, finance director at BTS Fabrications said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to support GNAAS, which despite not receiving any government funding, provides such an important service and saves lives across our region.鈥
County Durham sports safety innovator Rezon has been named one of just five international finalists at the prestigious SPOT 2025 Awards, which celebrate trailblazers shaping the future of sport.
The Stanley business has previously scored success in the semi-finals of the Sport Innovation Challenge, hosted by ThinkSport, and highlights its growing international reach, now selling in 14 markets around the world.
The SPOT 2025 event will take place next month in Lausanne, Switzerland, and brings together leading thinkers, investors, and decision-makers from across the global sport and technology industries. The nomination follows a string of accolades, including wins at Pitch 海角视频, the Spectator Economic Innovator Awards, and Product Innovation of the Year for PPE.
Founded in 2021, Rezon is seeking to change approaches to athlete safety through its flagship product, the Rezon Halos - a sports headband that protects the brain. It is designed to reduce risk of concussion and developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) from the accumulated damage of sub-concussions.
Judith McMinn, CEO and founder of Rezon said: 鈥淏eing named an international finalist at SPOT 2025 is a huge honour and a powerful recognition of the science, ambition and mission behind Rezon. It marks another key milestone as we scale globally and continue to protect athletes of all ages with proven, pioneering neurotech.鈥
Sunderland housing association Gentoo has joined forces with contracting partners to help a local community centre complete its roof repair.
The work carried out on St Bede鈥檚 Community Centre was completed by colleagues from the Gentoo repairs team, and their partners from Jewson, Burton Roofing, Group Tegula and Allscaff. Together they re-felted the flat roof and repaired the hall ceiling to bring the centre in Town End Farm back to life after damage threatened to close the centre.
Marc Edwards, executive director of property at Gentoo, said: 鈥淚t was an honour to help St Bede鈥檚 Community Centre with their repair issues to enable the community centres main hall to be used again. I want to thank our in-house team and contractors for their support to help complete this project. Community centres like this make our neighbourhoods thrive and we are delighted we could help repair the community centre and bring it back to life.鈥
Darrin Arkley, branch manager at Burton Roofing, said: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to help a local community project. As a company, we always strive to help local communities around our depots but this one tugged at my heart strings as I grew up in town end farm as a young boy. It was a pleasure to help.鈥
