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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Coreena Ford

North East business life: charity, community and award events in the region

Square One Law’s creative agency The Traveller and the Bear won two Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards for the North East and Borders.

The Newcastle firm scooped the win for the ‘Fearlessly Solving’ campaign it created for the law firm, devising the campaign to articulate how Square One Law, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Darlington, differentiates its expertise and experience in the market. The video campaign brought together North East musician Ed Smith, who has played with Geordie rock star Sam Fender, and spoken poetry performer Lerato Azula, originally from Newcastle.

Gill Hunter, managing partner at Square One Law, said: “Together with The Traveller and Bear, we have taken a unique approach to demonstrate how Square One Law works with their clients.

“Our firm has a distinctive culture where our people are actively encouraged to be authentic, creative and fearless. Television is about conveying a message and we are exceptionally proud that the RTS has recognised how we have utilised the medium to bring a new perspective to how lawyers can help their clients.”

L-R Gary Cooper, director of operations at Curo, and Dan Hulme from Inspired PLC, sponsors of the award. (Peacock Group)

Newcastle’s Peacock Group has won a national sustainability award in recognition of its new solution to reduce carbon emissions within the NHS.

The independent healthcare service and manufacturing company was named the overall winner of the energy and sustainability category at the national Make UK Manufacturing Awards for its product Curo, which provides the NHS with an onsite sustainable solution to process clinical waste, resulting in up to 100% reduction in carbon emissions.

Developed in partnership with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Curo has the potential to save the NHS more than £1bn over five years and help deliver its aim to be the world’s first net zero national health service.

Chris Peacock, owner of the Peacock Group, said: “Reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS and its ability to reach net zero by 2040.

“Working with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, we’ve created a unique solution that completely transforms the clinical waste process; turning infectious clinical waste into a completely harmless and sterile material on-site. This not only erradicates the need for onward transportation and treatment, but also creates the potential for new revenue streams and cost savings for hospitals in recycling and energy.

“It’s an honour to be recognised by Make UK in this hugely competitive category that celebrates innovation in sustainability and manufacturing.”

Left to right: David Wilson & Vanessa Proudlock (Northumberland Estates)

Northumberland Estates has given its 2022 charities of the year – Pathways 4 All and Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care – a share of over £20,000. The funds were raised throughout the year through staff events and a donation from the Northumberland Estates Community Fund.

Pathways 4 All works to improve the lives of disabled children and their families, providing specialist family-friendly leisure facilities at the Tim Lamb Children’s Centre, social activities for disabled children and their families, seasonal events, and short break care services. Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, meanwhile, provides a free transport service to and from the Freeman and RVI Hospitals for outpatients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment.

Lynn McManus, founder of Pathways 4 All, said: “As a charity, we are incredibly grateful to the team at Northumberland Estates for their support. The incredible amount raised and increased awareness will make a huge difference in the lives of disabled children and their families. Thank you.”

David Wilson, development manager at Daft as a Brush, said: “Northumberland Estates has always supported Daft as a Brush, so it was great that we’d been chosen as their charity of the year in 2022. The money raised throughout the year will go towards growing our service as we look to bring new ambulances into the fleet, and the exposure that this partnership brought goes well beyond the money raised.”

Vanessa Proudlock, head of community engagement at Northumberland Estates, added: “Over the last three years, we have supported different charities with very diverse needs each nominated by staff at Northumberland Estates. As part of its support, we undertake a series of fundraising and awareness-building activities and events throughout the year as well as forging closer links to the charities.”

Verdant Leisure raised £80,000 for Blood Cancer UK (Verdant Leisure)

Holiday home operator Verdant Leisure has raised £80,000 for its charity partner, Blood Cancer UK, as part of both regional and national fundraising efforts. The fundraising, which took place at Riverside in Northumberland ran throughout last year and saw members of the team take part in events such as open days with live music, BBQ’s, contests and raffles, cycle races and sponsored walks.

The final total was revealed at the Verdant annual conference, where the cheque was also presented. The money will go directly to research and support for those living with blood cancer.

Danielle Richards at Blood Cancer UK said: “Everyone at Blood Cancer UK feels so lucky to have been chosen as charity partner for Verdant Leisure, and we are truly wowed by the enormous fundraising total of £80,000. This outstanding team have tirelessly raised funds and awareness for our cause across the year, taking part in everything from surfing to head shaving, and embracing our very special Walk of Light. On behalf of the whole blood cancer community, we send our biggest and most heartfelt thanks to this very special group of people.”

Stacey Hope, communications director at Verdant Leisure, added: “We were absolutely delighted to have raised £80,000 for Blood Cancer UK thanks to the efforts of the Verdant Leisure team. Getting stuck in and doing our bit to support charities close to our hearts is important to us at Verdant and the team has enormous fun getting involved in all the activities.”

CEO Sleepout participants at the 2022 Newcastle event (CEO Sleepout)

CEO Sleepout, a national initiative that aims to raise awareness and vital funds to support homelessness , has partnered up with the Newcastle United Foundation again to deliver its next sleepout in the region. The event will take place at St James’ Park, Newcastle on Thursday, March 23, and will be the eighth sleepout in the area since 2014. With more than 50 business leaders already signed up for the event, organisers are calling on the city’s CEOs and senior executives to get involved.

Chief executive of the charity Bianca Robinson is asking company bosses and executives to sign up as rough sleeping in Newcastle and the surrounding areas is on the rise. She said: “No city in the UK is immune to homelessness.

She said: “People who are homeless are human beings, with the same hopes, dreams, talents and desire for care and shelter that we all have. But for some, life has not been so kind. We can bring awareness and unlock compassion around this all while raising big money for charities who are working so hard to help people change their lives.”

Funds raised from this event will be donated to initiatives that are working on the frontline to support those who are homeless. The money will be split between the Newcastle United Foundation, Walking With The Wounded, The West End Foodbank, The People’s Kitchen and CEO Sleepout.

Steve Beharall, chief executive officer of Newcastle United Foundation, said: “It can be difficult to imagine living without shelter or having somewhere safe to stay at night, however, this is a reality for so many in our communities across the North East.”

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