OnPath stirs up support for Sunderland charity

A Sunderland-based renewable energy developer is swapping turbines for teamwork as it pledges to support a local food poverty charity throughout 2025.

OnPath Energy has named Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen as its dedicated English charity for the year, with employees fundraising and volunteering to help provide hot meals for those in need. 

OnPath, headquartered at Rainton Bridge Business Park, will also match every £1,000 raised by staff in the next 12 months, up to a maximum of £5,000.

Katie Walvin, graduate PR & digital content creator at OnPath Energy, said: “The Soup Kitchen team and volunteers are providing an invaluable service to people in need in our city and their unwavering commitment to stepping up wherever the need arises really epitomises the North East’s generous spirit.

“We’re really pleased to be able to support their work this year, both through raising money and also, through our staff volunteering programme, by being part of a brilliant team that provides so many much-needed meals every week.”

Founded in 2019 by chief executive Andrea Bell, the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen serves around 100 people per shift and relies entirely on donations. 

It operates from Albert’s Place in Sunderland city centre and recently launched a breakfast café and allotments for growing fresh produce.

Ashleigh Richardson, assistant to Andrea, said: “The Kitchen is open free of charge to anyone for however long or short a time they need our help.

“It’s fabulous for us to get the backing of local businesses like OnPath Energy, not only for the practical and financial support they provide, but also for the access to additional expertise and new networks that can really help us carry out our work more effectively.

“We’re grateful that the OnPath team has chosen to work with us this year and look forward to welcoming them into our kitchen at different times through the year.”

OnPath, which owns and operates 12 onshore wind farms across Scotland and England, has also selected Glasgow’s Beatson Cancer Charity as its Scottish office’s chosen cause for the year.

Nicky Gallagher, human resources director at OnParth Energy, added: “As a business and as individuals, we feel strongly about making a difference in the communities in which we work, so wanted to come together to raise money for local charities close to both our English and Scottish offices.

“We have lots of team fundraising activities and events planned that will help us reach our fundraising target and plan to have a lot of fun along the way." 

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