A LEADING North East construction firm has cemented its long-term commitment to four youth charities.
The Owen Pugh Group, which has its head office in Dudley, North Tyneside and another four sites across the region, has pledged to continue to support four regional charities who have the shared goal of improving opportunities for young people.
The beneficiaries were recently invited to a celebration event at Owen Pugh where they each received a cheque are: Phoenix Detached Youth Project (PDYP), which works with young people in the Meadowell and Chirton areas of North Shields; Liberdade, an organisation that provides arts and health initiatives for learning disabled people across Tyne and Wear; D2 Youth Zone in Newcastle which addresses young people’s issues and offers advice and guidance on issues surrounding employment, sexual health, relationships and alcohol; and Patchwork, a Benwell based charity which provides services and support to young people via detached youth work, programmes of learning, group work and Duke of Edinburgh.
John Dickson, chairman of the Owen Pugh Group, said: “We are a business that recognises the importance of supporting the communities in which we live and work, and, in particular, helping young people to realise their ambitions, whatever their circumstances.
“The charities meet our CSR objectives and we share a passion for raising aspirations amongst young people in the region to ensure that they get the best possible start to adult life. Seeing the positive impact of our contributions to organisations like Liberdade, D2, Phoenix and Patchwork who carry out such valuable work, really does reaffirm our decision to continue to offer our support.”
Angela Smith at D2, said: “Cuts to funding are beginning to really impact on charities such as D2 so it’s great to know Owen Pugh has once again pledged its support and we look forward to continuing to work with the company.”
Michael Bell, project manager at Patchwork, said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Owen Pugh as we greatly appreciate all the support we have received over the years. The regular contributions towards our driving project here at Patchwork has often come at difficult funding times and provided a real boost to our spirits as well as the practical, life-changing opportunity learning to drive brings to each individual and their family.
“We have certainly noticed that learning to drive has become a far more reachable aspiration in this community over the time we have been doing ‘the driving groups’ and this is in no small amount due to the support of Owen Pugh.”
Mike Burgess, Project Manager at Phoenix Detached Youth Project, said: “Owen Pugh is an inspirational and caring company which takes its corporate responsibility very seriously. As a charity the support they have offered us over the years, not just financially but in providing opportunities for young people, has been incredible. We’re really grateful for this latest tranche of support.”
Rob Huggins, Chief Executive of Liberdade, said: “The contributions that Owen Pugh has donated over the years has made a real difference to the lives of learning disabled people in Tyne and Wear. We welcome our ongoing relationship with this fantastic company and hope we can continue to broaden this partnership moving forward.”