A Tyneside referral group who’ve bridged the recession by generating a staggering £1m worth of business in the last 12 months has given some of it back to help earthquake victims in Nepal.
Photographer, Angela Carrington, a member of the Tyne Bridge Chapter of BNI (Business Network International) spent time volunteering in Nepal in 2011 documenting the work of a group of dentists doing outreach work in the foothills of the Himalayas. When she heard about the devastation caused in the towns and cities she had visited she asked her colleagues to donate to help the situation.
Angela and her colleagues raised more than £330 in the breakfast collection that will be sent to contribute to the relief fund.
The original visit to Nepal was as a result of a referral Angela received from a fellow BNI member.
“I went to Nepal on the back of a BNI referral to Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas. It was a success and on our return a charity was formed called Smiles Across Nepal. I’m now a Trustee for the charity and since then there have been multiple working trips back to the area. After the earthquake struck we decided to divert funds immediately from our regular work to the hospital that we work with very closely so that they can provide the medical support needed on the ground immediately. (Dhulikhel Hospital).
“I’m delighted that my fellow BNI members have donated so generously and I’ll ensure that the money is used where it is most needed for the people of Nepal. BNI is a worldwide organisation and this proves how much businesses in the North East care about others across the globe.”
Angela and her colleagues meet over breakfast every Wednesday at the Valley Farm on Gateshead’s Team Valley to generate business amongst the group. By passing referrals and attracting new business, the group has gone from strength to strength and in the last two years has grown from 18 members to more than 30. A huge variety of trades, skills and professions are represented including insurance, accountancy, an electrician and a plumber.
Tyne Bridge Chapter is particularly keen to welcome visitors and currently the Chapter has vacancies for businesses such as a book keeper, a florist, and a car mechanic. For more information contact Jayne Hart on 07944 772130.