Some of the Teesside region’s most disadvantaged children and their families can continue to enjoy short caravan breaks to the Yorkshire coast – after a moving film inspired further generosity at our recent Charity Ball.
An inspirational film showing the impact of our caravans resulted in a generous group of our patrons and supporters promising to donate a combined £14,000.
When the film was shown at our best ever Charity Ball at Wynyard Hall recently, many were moved to tears – and some were inspired to act.
The Foundation bought its first caravan at Reighton Sands near Filey in 2016 after receiving an anonymous but large donation.
We added a second in November 2017 after receiving an incredible £35,000 donation from former Boro player Colin Cooper’s charity, The Finlay Cooper Fund – with a further £22,000 donated by a range of individuals and companies who support us so generously.
By the end of the year alone more than 100 struggling families from across Teesside will have used the caravans during 2018
And countless others will be able to enjoy the same opportunity going forward after 10 of the Philanthropic Foundation’s patrons and friends pledged £14,000 towards the caravan cause during our annual charity ball (an event that raised an incredible £78,000 overall!)
Thornaby audio visual company ArtAV led the way by donating £5,000, while Marc Atkinson, Erimus Insurance Brokers, Forman Vehicle Supplies, Mandale Group, SABIC, Devereux Transport, Ian and Adrienne Stark, Bill and Liz Scott, and our founder and chairman Andy Preston and his wife Lizzie all pledged £1,000 each.
Andy Preston said: “What can you say? People keep being generous and it’s so hard to keep coming up with the words to express our genuine gratitude.
“As the film shows, the caravans are making a real difference to the lives of real Teesside people.
“Martin and his two grandsons (pictured) who feature in the film live just a few miles from most of us and no one who hears what he has to say can be in any doubt about the impact a short break at one of the caravans can have.
“Thank you to all those who supported us this year – and thank you again to all those who’ve supported us in the past too.”
The film, which can be seen on the Foundation website www.teessidecharity.org.uk, was created by Matt McGough of Teesside firm Ithica Films with support from our PR man Dave Allan of DNA PR & Publicity.
