Staff from accountancy firm Robson Laidler have scaled new heights by climbing to the top of the 海角视频鈥檚 highest mountain to raise 拢1,000 for charity.
Employees from the Newcastle and Durham-based accountancy firm reached the peak of 1,345m high Ben Nevis while smashing their target for its community foundation managed by Point North, which will support underserved projects and groups in the region.
The team managed the challenge in an all-round seven-hour hike led by Gateshead-based Alexander Adventures, and celebrated with a campfire, BBQ and sauna to mark their achievement at the bottom.
Robson Laidler head of people and culture Amy Park said: 鈥淭his year鈥檚 challenge was one of our toughest yet 鈥 but we made it to the top, and back down again, driven by our purpose to make a positive difference in people鈥檚 lives. We鈥檙e incredibly proud to have raised vital funds for charities and community groups working tirelessly to support those in urgent need.
鈥淎long the way, we had fun, bonded as a team, and looked out for each other at every step.鈥
Point North chief executive Michelle Cooper said: 鈥淭he money raised by Robson Laidler Accountants will be distributed throughout the region. The donations might go towards a food bank for local families, or cooking lessons for young adults. It might go to community centres who keep their doors open and their heating on throughout winter, or it might support a talented young athlete to travel to a tournament.鈥
Two of Go North East鈥檚 longest serving engineers are celebrating a combined 100 years of service. William 鈥楤illy鈥 Cummings and John Jackson have each dedicated five decades to keeping the wheels turning.
Their careers began in the 1970s, just as the 海角视频 had just joined the Common Market, buses had conductors and the upper deck doubled as a smoker鈥檚 lounge.
Billy and John have been through all the changes, from diesel engines to the dawn of electric buses, and from paper timetables to digital journey planning.
Billy joined the business at 16 and has spent his entire career working as a trimmer at the company鈥檚 Saltmeadows engineering site, specialising in repairing and maintaining bus interiors.
John, meanwhile, is an electrician at the Riverside depot. He was introduced to the trade by his brother 鈥 a bus driver in the 1970s 鈥 and jumped at the chance of stable work during a difficult period for employment.
Billy said: 鈥淚鈥檝e always been happy at work, so I鈥檝e never really thought about leaving. I enjoy what I do, but it鈥檚 the camaraderie and friendships with my workmates that have kept me coming back.鈥
John added: 鈥淎t the time, I was just glad to have a job because unemployment was so high. I鈥檝e worked with a smashing bunch of lads over the years 鈥 that鈥檚 what I鈥檒l remember most.鈥
Nigel Featham, managing director at Go North East, said: 鈥淚鈥檇 like to say a huge thank you and congratulations to John and Billy for an incredible combined 100 years of service.
鈥淭heir commitment, pride and skill exemplify everything that鈥檚 great about our industry 鈥 and about Go North East. The company simply wouldn鈥檛 be the same without long-serving colleagues like them. It鈥檚 inspiring to see people who鈥檝e built their entire careers here.鈥
Parkdean Resorts鈥 Cresswell Towers Holiday Park in Northumberland is celebrating winning a prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers鈥 Choice Award for 2025.
The Tripadvisor Travellers鈥 Choice Awards recognise the top 10% businesses that consistently earn positive reviews and also honour accommodations, attractions and restaurants which demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence.
This year has seen the Gateshead company secure awards for 32 of its of its holiday parks and hotels in the Tripadvisor Travellers鈥 Choice Awards.
Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: 鈥淲inning the TripAdvisor Travellers鈥 Choice Award is a testament to the hard work our teams put in every day, allowing our guests to make amazing memories with their families and loved ones. We鈥檙e extremely proud of our parks and always strive to improve the overall guest experience. The feedback we receive from our visitors is very important to us and we鈥檙e delighted to see such a high proportion of our parks win this prestigious award.鈥
A South East Northumberland community centre is warmer and weatherproof thanks to a four-figure grant from the Banks Community Fund.
The Buffalo Community Centre in Blyth provides a variety of services and projects to help improve the lives of local people of all ages, and works in partnership with other local providers from both the voluntary and statutory sector.
The charity is based in a converted pub in Regent Street which has eight large windows, all of which had become bent out of shape over time and were letting in both cold draughts and rain.
After receiving a 拢2,000 grant from North East employer the Banks Group, Cowpen Quay Community Association which manages the centre commissioned RLM Windows, Doors & Conservatories to make and fit new energy efficient windows. They work will keep out wet weather and help reduce its energy bills, while also supporting the association鈥檚 plans to introduce a Warm Hub within the building in the future.
Deputy manager and senior youth leader Jo Wilson says: 鈥淎s well as improving the quality of the experience for everyone who spends time here, the new windows will also help us cut down on our energy use, which will in turn save us money on our heating bills. We probably would just have had to grin and bear it if Banks hadn鈥檛 stepped in to help us again and everyone鈥檚 really grateful for their support.鈥
Jamilah Hassan, community manager at the Banks Group, adds: 鈥淭he Buffalo Community Centre is a hub for so many different activities and makes a tremendous difference to the lives of hundreds of local people every week. The work that鈥檚 been carried out will make the building an even nicer place for them to spend their time and we鈥檙e very happy to have helped the Community Association to get it done sooner rather than later.鈥
