A football competition, organised by Tyneside business Concept and featuring teams from well-known North East companies, is raising money to buy special equipment for a local school.
The third Concept Cup takes place on Friday, with all proceeds going to Hadrian School in Benwell. It is attended by 170 children, aged between two and 11, who have additional needs.
The money will be used to buy two new trampolines which will provide vital exercise and therapy for Hadrian School pupils, other children from across the city who have additional needs, as well as members of the local community.
In the next few weeks work starts on building a special Rebound Therapy Training Centre at the school. It should open by next summer and will be equipped with six trampolines.
“We work closely with other schools and organisations in the region to offer access to our resources and provide excellent training opportunities. The centre will provide a much-needed and demanded service for the whole area,” said Hadrian School’s business manager David Palmer.
“It’s all about breaking down barriers. A severely disabled child or adult can use a trampoline for Rebound Therapy to exercise and strengthen their muscles as well as breaking down communication barriers and gaining the trust of the person you’re on the trampoline with, as well as our able-bodied children having fun and social interaction with their friends.
“Concept has been very good to us over the years and we’re so grateful to them for their generosity.”
Concept, based at Newcastle Business Park, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xerox and provides digital print and document technology for some of the best-known names in the North East, including Newcastle United, The Sage Music Trust, Muckle LLP, Vantec and around 40 schools – including Hadrian.
Sales manager Stewart Hunter said: “I visited the school for the first time about six years ago and each time I go there I’m amazed by the fantastic level of support provided by the staff. When I heard about plans for the Rebound Therapy Training Centre, I was determined that Concept could do all it could to help.”
Previous Concept Cups have raised money for Little Steps for Lily and The Calvert Trust. This year’s competition takes place at Goals Gosforth at Newcastle Racecourse and features 15 teams from organisations including Mincoffs Solicitors LLP, Lloyds Bank PLC, Quantum Pharma, Razorblue, Responsive Engineering, Quantum Pharma, winner of the two previous Concept Cups Utilitywise PLC, and Concept.
“We will try to do our best to stop Utilitywise winning again,” said Stewart. “But we’ve heard that its team is determined to make it a hat-trick. I’m sure, as in previous years, the games will be good fun but competitive – and all the players know the reason why they’re taking part.”