A firm of Sunderland safety and security specialists has embarked on a charity challenge that could net a regional good cause a £20,000 windfall.
MacDonald Martin Ltd. Has set employees the challenge of exceeding monthly targets, which will trigger a donation of profits to Epilepsy Research UK.
October saw the firm donate its first cheque, for £1,500, to the charity dedicated to curing epilepsy and transforming lives through research.
Andy Trafford, Managing Director of MacDonald Martin, and his wife, Jackie, were inspired to launch the charity drive by employee Ricky Osborn, who joined the firm 6 months ago.
Ricky’s adored son, Oliver, suffered from severe migrating partial epilepsy in infancy, and tragically died in September 2016 at the age of three.
Andy said: “Jackie and I were so moved by Oliver’s story and the way Ricky and his wife Danielle cared for him that we wanted to show our support for this important charity.”
Ricky already works hard to raise awareness for epilepsy in honour of his beloved son. He has organised a raft of fundraising events, including a sportsman’s dinner, boxing night, and 200-mile ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ cycle ride – raising over £7,700 for the charity.
Ricky, of Peterlee, said: “I’m genuinely touched that so many of the staff have taken this project to heart and are really pushing hard to power through our monthly targets.
“Epilepsy is a serious condition that can have devastating consequences – the money we raise will go directly into research and development and hopefully help one day find a cure.”
Andy said: “Every year we support a charity, giving a percentage of our earnings to a good cause. Epilepsy Research UK is a wonderful charity that enables ground-breaking research.
“It is a cause that is now close to the hearts of all who work at MacDonald Martin. We are incredibly proud to be able to support their all-important research.”
Professor Mark Cunningham, a Professor of Neuronal Dynamics at Newcastle University, collected the cheque on behalf of the charity. Prof Cunningham’s research specialises in the forms and causation of epilepsy and tumour-associated epilepsy.
Prof Cunningham said: “On behalf of the fundraising team at Epilepsy Research UK, I convey my warmest thanks to Andy and Jackie, Ricky and the whole team at MacDonald Martin for this generous commitment to the charity.
“Epilepsy Research UK is the only national charity solely dedicated to funding independent scientific research into the causes, treatment and prevention of epilepsy. Epilepsy affects 1 in every 103 people in the UK – yet so much remains unknown about the causes of epilepsy and how to effectively treat or prevent it.
“It remains an under-funded research area. The support of MacDonald Martin enables our integral research to be conducted, bringing us closer to understanding a disease which affects so many.”
Epilepsy Research UK’s vision is of a future where every type of epilepsy can be safely controlled and people can live seizure free.
This donation made by MacDonald Martin will contribute to Epilepsy Research UK’s 2018 research grant awards through the Oliver Osborn Memorial Fund – new research which offers the very real possibility of making those advances needed to achieve the charity’s vision.
Alongside their growing workforce and charity commitments, MacDonald Martin is increasing its client portfolio and exceeding monthly targets. The business continues to upgrade fire and security alarms and install state of the art CCTV in the local region and beyond.