Accountancy firm Robson Laidler has launched its own community fund for charitable causes in the North East.
The firm, which has offices in Newcastle and Chester-le-Street, will donate 5% of its profits each year to the fund, which will be run over the next three years with the County Durham Community Foundation.
Robson Laidler’s managing director Graham Purvis said: “As a purpose-driven firm we strongly believe in putting our profits where our principles are.
“The newly-launched fund is an evolution of our long tradition of giving to charity and demonstrates how we are still seeking to be progressive and innovative. We’re very excited about the new Robson Laidler Fund because we see this as a sustainable way of continually giving and we’re delighted to be working with County Durham Community Foundation, which is going to be a massive help to us in terms of ensuring the money goes to the places it can do the most good.”
Grants from the fund will go to organisations that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing poverty and hunger, promoting quality education and taking action on climate change.
Robson Laidler said the fund is in line with it becoming an accredited B Corp.
Newcastle marketing agency Blumilk is offering more than £25,000 worth of consultancy services to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Blumilk initially provided 60 hours of free work as part of the project, and has now agreed to extend that work to help the charity recover from the pandemic.
Lauren St Hilaire, client director at Blumilk, said: “From the first phone call with the team at GNAAS, we were absolutely captivated with the amazing work they do. We couldn’t get our heads around how such a vital part of saving lives was a charity and not part of NHS funding and we desperately wanted to do anything we could to support them.
“We knew the most valuable asset of all we could offer was the ability to spread the GNAAS message far and wide to help encourage as much support and as many donations as possible and therefore we set to work in helping to achieve that.”
Businesses from across the North East are invited to explore how they can save money and reduce their carbon footprint at an event being held in County Durham.
A range of experts will be demonstrating the opportunities and solutions available to help businesses become more energy efficient, reduce costs and deliver a sustainable future at the business showcase even being held at Ramside Hall on July 6.
The event is being organised by Business Durham and Durham County Council’s low carbon economy team. It will offer advice on lowering energy consumption, using electric vehicles, installation heat pumps and other measures.
Coun Mark Wilkes, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We know businesses are under severe pressure as the economy faces a variety of challenges and the unprecedented energy cost rises are having a significant impact on sustainability. Our hope is that this event will provide the opportunity for those in attendance to get the facts that could save their business money and help the environment.”
Businesses can register for the event at www.businessdurham.co.uk/netzero.
