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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Tom Keighley

Business Life: charity initiatives and award wins in the North East

North East businesses are being invited to attend a golf day at Close House in support of Children's Cancer North.

The independent charity is inviting companies to the one-day event on Friday, September 23, in order to raise funds for its work investing in revolutionary research, providing support for children and their families and raising awareness of children's cancer.

Chris Peacock, chairman of Children’s Cancer North, said: “Throughout the year we run a number of fundraising events, including our famous Children’s Cancer Run, and this year we’re delighted to be adding a charity golf day to the list of ways people can support the work of Children’s Cancer North. We’re looking for 18 teams of businesses from right across the North East to join us for 18 holes of golf at the famous Lee Westwood Filly Course. All the money raised by entering will go towards making life better for children with cancer.”

Read more: People on the move: Key North East appointments and promotions of the week

The £480 entry free for a team of four includes 18 holes of golf with a shotgun start, competition entries including longest drive and nearest the pin, and a post-golf meal and awards ceremony. There will also be a ‘beat the pro challenge’ with a professional golfer from Close House.

Mr Peacock added: “Thanks to the amazing support we receive from businesses, organisations, families and individuals right across the North, we’re able to help the hundreds of children that come to Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle every year for their cancer treatment. We’re also able to fund essential work at the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre in Newcastle to advance their understanding of how to treat childhood cancers.

“And as well as raising money, all our fundraising events raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer on young people and their families. If any businesses would like to support our work, please sign up to attend our charity golf day at Close House. You’re guaranteed a great day out and a chance to learn more about our charity’s work supporting individuals and families affected by childhood cancer.”

Charlie Hoult, Opencast co-founder and chair; Elaine Holdsworth, Community Foundation; Sarah Robinson, Full Circle Food Project); Denise Power, Opencast; Bex Ross, Opencast; Sheena Widdowfield, Opencast, and Mike O’Brien Opencast co-founder and CEO. (Supplied by Rob Lawson)

Tyneside tech consultancy Opencast has confirmed the names of 10 charities it will support in this its 10th anniversary year following a vote by people working across the business.

The donations from Opencast’s latest profits total £55,000 – taking the amount donated so far to charities past the £100,000 mark – and are part of the company’s ‘10 good things’ initiative marking its 10th anniversary. The beneficiaries were chosen by Opencast employees after a vote across the company, and include a range of non-profits working in the North East, UK wide and also internationally.

Recipients include Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland; FareShare UK; Berwick Youth Project; Depaul UK; Full Circle Food Project; Trees for Cities; Blue Sky Trust; CALM; Hope and Homes for Children, and Homes of Promise. Sheena Widdowfield, Opencast’s head of learning and culture and chair of the company’s charity working group, said: "I am proud that Opencast is committed to giving 2.5% of its profits each year to good causes. In this our 10th year we wanted to give all our people the chance to have a say in choosing which charities should benefit from our donations.

"Although we are headquartered in Newcastle, we now have offices – and team members – across the UK and we wanted to reflect that in our donations. We sincerely hope our donations improve the lives of those who’ve turned to our chosen charities for help. Our thanks go to the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, which has awarded eight of our 10 donations for this year through our Opencast Charitable Fund.”

Gary Fawcett, senior investment manager at Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office. (Supplied by Brewin Dolphin)

Wealth manager Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office has been awarded the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s Advanced Good Work Pledge (GWP) award.

The Good Work Pledge recognises the provision of good jobs and a positive work environment and the award is based on five criteria: valuing and rewarding the workforce; promoting health and wellbeing; effective communication and representation; developing a balanced workforce; and fostering social responsibility. Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office was awarded for the positive initiatives that help its employees to feel included, supported and rewarded, and also for its support of the local community.

Gary Fawcett, senior investment manager at Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office, said: "We are thrilled to have achieved the Advanced Good Work Pledge award, and it just goes to show the hard work the business is putting into supporting its employees and the local community. I believe it is really important for large organisations to show commitment to their employees and the wider community in which we live and work, and hopefully this will help encourage other businesses – big and small – to join the Good Work Pledge initiative."

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