A fast-growing junior football club in one of the least privileged areas of Teesside topped the bill when Teesside businesses shared out donations totalling £20,000 to local community groups, charities and schools.
East Middlesbrough FC received £5,000 to purchase much-needed equipment after topping a public poll run by charity Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.
A special Golden Giveaway presentation event at the Riverside Stadium – home of Foundation patrons Middlesbrough Football Club – saw young players from the club receive the prize from Tanya Garland of patrons Cool Blue Brand Communications.
Runner-up in the public poll and therefore receiving £2,500 was The Link in Redcar, supporting children who have suffered abuse, exploitation or bereavement.
Nigel Willis, managing director of Foundation patron First Choice Labels of Kirkleatham Business Park presented The Link with their cheque.
The rest of the Golden Giveaway cash pot was shared between charities and community projects across Teesside including Redcar, Stockton, Dormanstown, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Skelton and Brambles Farm.
The Foundation’s patrons also made the following presentations:
- £2,000 to Brambles Primary Academy – towards outdoor play equipment, presented by Laura Bashizedah of Hunters Teesside Estate Agents.
- £1,500 to Camphill Village Trust – sports facilities for adults with disabilities, presented by Christine Nolan of Erimus Insurance Brokers.
- £1,000 to Thornaby Community Partnership – tackling poverty, health and education issues, presented by patron Alisdair Beveridge.
- £1,000 to The Shack – Stockton community project in Ragworth/Primrose Hill, presented by Joe Darragh of Mandale Group.
- £1,000 to Gym World Special Needs Gymnastics Group – to attend Special Olympics in Sheffield, presented by patron Ian Stark.
- £750 to Music in Hospitals – for free musical concerts in care homes and hospital dementia wards, presented by Craig Rye of InBond.
- £750 to Armed Forces Day Middlesbrough – to continue celebration of those who serve the country, presented by Michael James of Middlesbrough FC.
- £750 to The Davison Trust towards treats for Middlesbrough children with disabilities or severe illness, presented by Emily Bentley of Evolution Business and Tax Advisors.
- £500 to Park Court Residents Association – for a Christmas party for over-50s in Dormanstown, presented by Michael James of Middlesbrough FC.
- £500 to Trinity Youth & Children’s Project towards inspiring North Ormesby kids to reach their potential, presented by patron Ian Stark.
- £500 towards a new heating system for Dormanstown Community Sports & Social Club, presented by Joe Darragh of Mandale Group.
Also receiving funds but unable to attend the event were Skelton Primary School to part-fund an apprentice from the local community (£1,500) and Neoangels to support parents at North Tees Hospital Neonatal Unit (£750)
