Suicide support charity Billy’s Lifeline has received a £1,500 donation from housebuilder Barratt Homes. Billy’s Lifeline was set up in memory of Billy Knott, who passed away in 2019, to support families and loved ones impacted by suicide loss across the region.
The donation from the local housebuilder, which has its Monkton Gardens development near to Billy’s Lifeline’s head office, will go towards funding the charity’s Christmas party, which will feature children’s entertainers and gifts from Father Christmas. The donation will also help the charity to continue running its services throughout the North East.
Helen Murray, responsible for marketing and fundraising at Billy’s Lifeline, said: “Their donation has supported our planned Christmas party, where we invite families and friends who use our services, and it will also go towards ensuring that we’re able to continue our mission of providing immediate and ongoing therapeutic, emotional and practical support to those in need.”
Natalie Donnelly, sales manager at Barratt Homes’ Monkton Gardens development: “We’re so pleased that we’ve been able to further support Billy’s Lifeline once again. The work that they do is critical for people across the region, and provides much-needed guidance and support that the family of Billy Knott sadly did not have access to themselves. We would like to encourage those who are able to donate to charity to please consider supporting Billy’s Lifeline, as they continue their incredible work across the region.”
The North East STEM Foundation (NESF) has raised more than £40,000 at its annual fundraising dinner to support young people across the region in accessing education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The event was held at Dalton Old Pump House, near Seaham, and brought together businesses including Plastic Processing Limited, Meldrum Group, Teescraft Engineering Group, and Steel Benders Ƶ Ltd.
Funds raised will support NESF’s outreach programmes to inspire young people and connect them with local employers, showcasing career opportunities in STEM fields. Speakers at the event included Tania Cooper MBE, chair of NESF, Tom Dower, principal of UTC South Durham, and two students from UTC South Durham, who shared their personal experiences and successes - Lois Devonport and Edison Norman.
Ms Cooper said: “The North East STEM Foundation is committed to ensuring every young person, regardless of background, can access quality STEM education. The funds raised will contribute to removing the financial obstacles that limit opportunity for our young people, play a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of STEM leaders, while helping businesses in the region secure the skilled workforce needed to thrive.
“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, businesses who attended, and all our supporters for their generosity and commitment. Their contributions will make a real difference in the lives of young people across the region, helping to pave the way for future STEM leaders.”
County Durham visitor attraction Kynren has welcomed a team of Polish counterparts to share information about their respective spectacular live shows. Both Kynren and Park Dzieje’s The Eagle and the Cross night show are inspired by national heritage, and the two organisations are passionate about uniting volunteers to tell the story of their ancestors.
The Eagle and the Cross tells the story of Poland from the founding of the Polish State to the regaining of independence and it features over 1,500 historical figures. Park Dzieje has 350 volunteers, so whilst it is a smaller than Kynren’s 1,000-strong cast and crew, both attractions said they had a lot to learn from the fact-finding trip.
Stefan Ogorzalek, who looks after the volunteers and skills workshop academy at Park Dzieje said: “Kynren is exceptional and fabulous. Several effects are similar to those in our show and Kynren’s scenography is beautiful, as is the landscape. The most valuable experience Kynren has taught us is that we share common values. We both believe that heritage, the tale of the history of our ancestors, is an excellent opportunity to connect people. This is a result of our common roots which are deeply embedded in European civilisation. We are happy to have made this discovery and believe that it will strengthen our preparations for the next season of Park Dzieje’s The Eagle and the Cross.”
The Northumberland branch of food delivery firm Wiltshire Farm Foods has donated hundreds of its meals to FareShare North East in a bid to help tackle the food poverty crisis.
FareShare helps tackle the environmental problem of food waste to support social good. The organisation works across the food industry to get good quality, surplus food and redistribute it to frontline charities, homelessness shelters and community groups.
Morpeth-based Wiltshire Farm Foods made the contribution through a production shift at the company’s kitchens in Trowbridge, where staff from across the business volunteered their time preparing, cooking, and packaging up vast quantities of cottage pie and macaroni cheese meals. In total, Wiltshire Farm Foods, which forms part of apetito, produced more than 20,000 meals in its ‘Shift for the Hungry’ which the company then distributed between FareShare and City Harvest to help those in need.
Robbie Jones, manager at the Wiltshire Farm Foods Newcastle branch said: “It has been such a pleasure to work with our friends at FareShare North East. By donating close to 1,000 meals, my team are delighted to positively impact our local community in this way.The growing need for the provision of nutritious meals in and around Newcastle is more vital than ever before, and the work that FareShare carries out is incredibly important. Supporting them in this way reinforces our ethos of making a real difference.”
Chris Morling, head of food alliance at FareShare said: “FareShare and the community organisations we support are incredibly grateful to Wiltshire Farm Foods for the generous donation of these frozen ready meals. This contribution will make a significant difference to those facing food insecurity across the Ƶ.”
The leader of Teesside Airport has been shortlisted for a top global award. Managing director Phil Forster has reached the final shortlist of the 2024 Airport Leader for the Future Award at The Airport Honour Awards. Run by the International Airport Review, the awards single out those who have stood out for their dedication to excellence, innovation, and responsible development.
Mr Forster, who joined Teesside in 2019 as commercial director before becoming MD in 2020, has overseen the return and arrival of new holiday flights to Teesside, as well as a multimillion-pound terminal development, the airport gaining customs zone status within the Teesside Freeport, a new cargo facility, and the expansion of Teesside Airport Business Park.
He said: “It’s an honour to be nominated for this award and it’s a testament to the hard work our airport team puts in day and night. We know there’s plenty to do to continue to turn Teesside around and push it further into profit but with the team, the talent and tenacity we have, I know we have what it takes to go even further.”
