Employees at EDF Energy, based at Doxford International Business Park, have raised an impressive £2006 for the city’s biggest soup kitchen.
Established by Andrea Bell seven months ago, the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen is based out of Emmanuel Free Church and a food truck on Hudson Road. It feeds over 500 people from across Sunderland every week.
EDF Energy Doxford has been supporting the soup kitchen for several months; purchasing food containers for the service, which is one of their biggest expenses. Ashleigh Richardson, a team manager at the Doxford site, volunteers at the kitchen most weekends and organised the Halloween event.
Talking about the fundraiser, Ashleigh said: “It was a fabulous day and we had so much going on with lots of money raised in various ways.
“Staff were allowed to come to work dressed down, dressed in a Halloween costume, or get involved by dressing their desk.
“It’s a cause that everyone at Doxford is extremely passionate about and, most weeks, members of the team bring in non-food items for me to take to the kitchen such as toiletries, sleeping blankets and tents to donate to those living on the streets of Sunderland.
“We’re determined to raise as much money as possible for the soup kitchen and continue our donations of essential items too.”
On the day, there was also a tombola, raffle and cake sale which all contributed to the overall amount raised. There were some great prizes, with someone winning an afternoon tea for two and others winning match tickets for Sunderland A.F.C. Many employees from various teams and departments got involved.
Andrea Bell, the founder of Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen, added: “The support from EDF Energy Doxford is incredible.
“Not only in raising money by special fundraising events such as this one but the passion and care they show for users week in, week out.
“Every weekend Ashleigh is bringing in items to donate whether it’s juice and biscuits or warm winter coats and toiletries.
“This kind of support is vital and helps us to reach as many vulnerable people as possible throughout the year.
“I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at EDF Energy Doxford – they’re helping us to prevent thousands of people across the city from going cold and hungry.”
For more information about the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sunderlandcommunitysoupkitchen/