Award-winning Teesside estate agent Hunters is celebrating its links with the local community after reaching the £20,000 charity milestone since forming just five years ago.
For the second successive year, Hunters has donated £5,000 to charity, Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.
Along with the firm being generous patrons of the charity, Hunters staff have also taken part in the Great North Run and this year’s New York City Marathon.
Lisa Preston, general manager of Hunters Teesside, was joined by Jordan Clayton, head of Hunters’ student lettings department, on the recent New York City Marathon, when they joined forces with another Middlesbrough company, Sound Training, to help raise around £15,000.
The cash will be donated to the Foundation’s Schools Hardship Fund, supporting some of the poorest families on Teesside.
Hunters staff have also taken part in the Big Tees Sleepout to raise funds for local food banks and donated to the Foundation’s shoe box appeal, creating parcels of gifts that will be given to local families in poverty via Stockton charity, The Moses Project, at a special Christmas Day lunch.
The Foundation is driven by a group of successful Teesside businesses and individuals in supporting local projects including the creation of around 50 apprenticeships, donations to food banks and grants to help talented sportspeople fulfil their potential.
To mark the fact that Hunters is continuing as patrons of the Foundation, general manager Lisa Preston paid a visit to Hartlepool charity Be Crafty’s new sensory room.
Be Crafty caters for adults and children with disabilities and health issues, giving them craftwork opportunities in a relaxing and safe environment.
The Foundation’s recent £4,000 grant allowed them to create a sensory room to stimulate the minds of those with autism, dementia or other mental health issues.
Lisa said: “Hunters’ ethos is that we are right at the heart of the community and we believe in sharing our success with that community. That’s why we’ve again committed to donating £5,000 to the Philanthropic Foundation.
“We’re so proud to have reached £20,000 donated for charity since we formed in 2011. We believe the Philanthropic Foundation is an incredible organisation and we’re incredibly proud to be helping to make a difference for Teessiders who need our support.”
Hunters’ sales negotiator Laura Bashizadeh also presented £2,000 towards new outdoor play equipment for Brambles Primary Academy, in Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, as part of the Foundation’s Golden Giveaway.
The donations capped a successful year for the Teesside team, who start 2016 by winning Hunters’ Platinum Sales gong for overall property sales and Gold Lettings award for most properties let across the company’s national network of 170 branches.