Member Article

Vela announces hospices as charities of the year

The Vela Group has pledged to raise thousands of pounds for two local charities following a successful year-long fundraising drive.

In 2012, the Tees Valley housing provider named Daisy Chain as its first Charity of the Year, helping them to support children with autism and their families.

Fundraising events over the year have included a coast to coast bike ride, zip line ride off the Baltic in Newcastle, a boat race on the Tees Barrage, Great North Run, skydive, Halloween Ball and more recently a team trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. In addition to fundraising, Vela craft workers have also helped to convert a former farmhouse into a resource centre and support facility for parents at the Daisy Chain site.

Following on from this success, Vela has now announced that its new combined charities for 2013 will be Butterwick Hospice and Hartlepool & District Hospice.

As part of the decision process, Vela consulted with its employees to find out which charities they wanted to support. The money to be raised by Vela employees and customers over the next 12 months will be spent on providing help to people living with life limiting illnesses, relieving symptoms, enriching patients’ lives and supporting them and their loved ones.

Mike Clark, Chairman of the Vela Group said: “We are delighted to be supporting these two charities which play such a vital role in our communities across Stockton and Hartlepool.

“Following a successful year with Daisy Chain, we are very much looking forward to working with Butterwick Hospice and Hartlepool & District Hospice to promote and raise money for such deserving causes.”

Victoria Rogers, Annual Company Adoption Fundraiser at Butterwick Hospice said: “We are thrilled and overwhelmed that Vela has chosen us as one of their charities of the year. This makes us feel very special and we hope that everyone involved has a great time and lots of fun whilst helping to raise money.

“Without the generosity of organisations like Vela, we couldn’t possibly offer the services we do to the people of Teesside free of charge.”

Carol Sennett, Corporate Fundraiser from Hartlepool & District Hospice said: “We are extremely grateful to have been chosen by Vela as their nominated Charity for 2013, and are delighted that the work we do for the local community of Hartlepool has been the inspiration for this.

“Partnerships like these are essential to our Hospice and all the money raised will go directly towards caring for our patients providing a vital service to the town.”

Both hospices provide services free of charge and rely heavily on voluntary contributions from the public. For more information please contact Vela on 0300 111 1000 or visit www.velagroup.co.uk

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