Member Article

Chemical manufacturer takes centre stage in the community

A West Yorkshire chemical company has raised £5,000 for a local bereavement group after hosting a community fundraising golf event.

Airedale Chemical chose the Sunbeam Support Group to benefit from its fundraising activities after it was set up by a close friend of the company’s managing director.

The Sunbeam Support Group is an organisation for bereaved parents and families. The group offers support following the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth. The organisation hosts various events where families can access support throughout the year based at the Sunbeam Garden at Airedale General Hospital.

To raise money for the Keighley-based group, Airedale Chemical held a charity golf day which saw golfers of all abilities take part. Local residents and businesses competed for the longest drive and the player nearest the pin followed by a two-course dinner at the Keighley Golf Club house.

Grace Detoeuf, who helped set up the group following the loss of her son Louis, explains: “This incredibly generous partnership between ourselves and Airedale Chemical has a huge impact on our families and is really appreciated. The funds raised will be life-changing for families who need access to bereavement support and it’s invaluable to us to be able to help them at a difficult time. We are delighted they have raised such a significant amount and we look forward to the partnership continuing to blossom.”

Airedale Chemical’s fundraising golf day is the latest initiative from the company’s charitable arm, the Airedale Foundation, which is committed to developing links and supporting the local community.

As part of the programme, the firm is partnered with Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School and throughout the year has arranged two visits to encourage year four pupils’ interest in STEM subjects. This involved a visit to the school from research and development chemist, Madeline Lofthouse, who answered questions about working in a STEM career and inviting pupils for a day on site conducting experiments and understanding chemistry.

Following the ongoing partnership, Airedale Chemical won an award within the ‘reputation’ category in the 2019 Chemical Industry Awards (CIAs) for its work in building and enhancing its own reputation as well as that of the industry.

Daniel Marr, commercial director at Airedale Chemical, said “One of our core values is developing relationships and we’re so proud to have achieved this with our commitment to Sunbeam Support Group and Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School. The golf day was a huge success; a big thank you for everyone who was involved and donated towards the cause.

“Community is at the heart of our business and the whole team works extremely hard to make a difference. We will continue to build on the strong links we’ve made within our community and continue to build support with important local causes.”

Airedale Chemical has been based in Cross Hills since 1994 and provides chemicals and contract manufacturing to markets including manufacturing, dairy, recycling and waste management.

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