Member Article

Two local charities boosted by Spark

Staff at Gateshead based Contact Centre and eCommerce services provider Spark Response have once again gone the extra mile to help raise over £11,500 for two local charities.

Every year employees at Spark Response take part in a range of fundraising events to support good causes across the North East. Staff are given the opportunity to nominate two charities, and this year, Tyneside Mind and Crossroads Care Gateshead were selected as the beneficiaries.

Tyneside Mind was nominated by Sam Kennedy, Contact Centre Advisor at Spark Response. Sam lost her son, Ben due to psychological issues in 2011. Sam adds “It is a subject and illness that is rarely spoken about, but through Mind we have found a voice and a continued opportunity to raise its profile so that many other families can hopefully confront the disease before it’s too late. This fantastic contribution will I’m sure be used to support families in the same situation mine was forced to face three years ago”. Tyneside Mind supports adults and young people of all ages who are suffering from mental health problems. Based in Gateshead, the charity seeks to help with issues including depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems through counselling and a range of community based projects.

Stuart Dexter, Chief Executive at Tyneside Mind comments “this is an amazing fundraising effort that will really help us make a difference to local people who are experiencing a mental health problem. In recent years we have faced a huge increase in demand for services whilst simultaneously facing funding cuts so this donation will enable us to continue to provide the local support needed”

Crossroads Care Gateshead was nominated by Warehouse Operative Liam Allport. Liam sees first hand the fantastic work carried out by the charity, as his Father, Samuel Allport works with Crossroads Care, who provide support services to those who care for others. Working with over 900 families across Gateshead, the charity provides short breaks to carers, to ease the day to day stresses and pressures of caring.

Pauline Steele, Chief Executive, comments, “This is a fantastic contribution to the development of our innovative short break facility – ‘Kites Rise’ and will help us to ensure that more carers will be able to access this residential option and enjoy a break from their caring role.”

Spark raised a total figure of £11,638, Which is to be divided evenly between the two charities. The total was raised throughout the year, with proceeds coming from a variety of activities including staff sales, family fun days, raffles, and competitions.

Over the last 10 years, Spark has raised over £50,000 for a variety of charities, and their ongoing commitment to charitable causes sits at the heart of the culture of the business.

Spark Response Directors Peter Slee and Noel Lambert add, “As part of our commitment to our people, and our community, we actively seek to support local charities in the amazing work they carry out in our region and beyond. Many of our employees have seen first hand the work that these charities carry out, so it’s fantastic to be able to thank them for their work with a donation from Spark Response employees”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Spark Response .