Staff at train operator Northern have swapped the tracks for challenges in a bid to boost a North East disability charity’s appeal.
The Percy Hedley Foundation was delighted to receive a £500 donation from Northern’s Train Maintenance Depot in Heaton to support the team’s fundraising activities and cash of £1,335 raised through sponsorship for various events.
Several members of the team took part in the first ever Twilight Zip from the top of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts earlier this year, while one member of the team, Garry Legg, completed a mammoth cycle ride.
Earlier this year, the depot donated the £500 prize money they received after scooping an award in recognition for their dedication to health and safety to the disability charity, which works to improve the lives of disabled children, young people and adults in the region.
The Foundation launched its Building Brighter Futures Appeal, which includes plans to build a new state of the art junior school on the same site as Percy Hedley Upper School in Killingworth, North Tyneside. This will allow the charity to offer vital education, therapy and support services to more disabled children and their families in the North East.
Maria Hallett, Community Fundraising & Events Manager at The Percy Hedley Foundation, said: “We are delighted with this wonderful association with Northern and are truly grateful for their support.
“The enthusiasm of their management and staff to get involved in our events is really inspiring and their support really is making a difference. They are a great team!”
John Alexander, Depot Manager, said: “I am very proud of the team’s achievements and the fact that they are able to help such a great cause.
“They all thoroughly enjoyed the challenges which gave the team the opportunity to have some fun together outside of the workplace whilst raising funds for the Foundation and the people it supports.”