CHARITY
HOME SUPPORT
PICTURE : DOUG MOODY
Supportive - Peter Caswell handed over a Teesside Hero award to Michelle Dack from Billingham Tidy Up .
Caswellsgroup marks 50th birthday by backing local good causes
It provides workplace supplies across the UK – but Caswellsgroup also firmly believes in supporting worthy causes close to home . The Billingham-based firm advocates corporate social responsibility , where companies play a responsible part in society and give back to the community .
So with that in mind , in addition to supporting its existing charities , Caswellsgroup has decided , in the 12 months leading up to its 50th anniversary celebrations this September , to donate to a different cause each month .
Staff members were asked to suggest charities or teams to support , especially those they were personally close to . And already , several groups and organisations have benefitted .
In October 2021 , for example , in conjunction with the Teesside Philanthropic Foundation – now called the Teesside Charity – the firm ’ s MD , Peter Caswell , presented Billingham Tidy Up , a community of volunteers who meet to carry out litter picks and clean up their neighbourhoods , with a Teesside Hero award in recognition of their selfless volunteering .
Then in November 2021 , Amanda Finney in accounts asked the firm to support Billingham Rugby Club – a club she and her family have been involved with for more than 20 years , with teams ranging from
U6s to U18s .
The club ’ s volunteer youth chairman , Colin Snowdon , used the money to buy new pads , tag belts and balls - so allowing more children to access the benefits of sport and community spirit , and helping continue the club ’ s legacy for years to come .
Caswells shared Amanda ’ s pride in the community gesture and was delighted that its donation was “ well received and put to excellent use ”.
In March 2022 , Danielle Stewart in sales initiated a campaign to support the relief effort for the displaced people of Ukraine .
She found a few local donation points for supplies and emailed everyone in the company to see if they could help .
Many of the team donated items of clothing , blankets and toiletries , or money to the British Red Cross . Caswells also provided a pallet containing wipes and first aid equipment , supporting the delivery of these items to the cause .
At Easter , the firm donated 100 Easter eggs to Roseberry Primary School in Billingham – personally chosen by Peter Caswell as it ’ s the school he and his brother attended .
Some of the eggs were allocated to an art competition and raffle prizes , with the rest shared between the classes in school .
And earlier this year , account manager Lauren McArthur visited the Children ’ s
Heart Unit at Newcastle ’ s Freeman Hospital , accompanied by her son Tyler , with an incredible donation of clothing and washbags for the children and parents who are admitted to the unit .
Lauren is currently championing a team of Caswells staff to train , ahead of the 12k Total Warrior Great North Mud Run challenge in June to raise money and awareness for the Children ’ s Heart Unit Fund - the charity which cared for her family when Tyler was rushed to the special care unit after a serious and complex heart condition was identified .
In addition , Caswells are supporters of local charities including the Russ Devereux Headlight Project , Teesside Hospice , Middlesbrough Homeless HUB , Darlington Veterans Community and the Moses Project , where it makes regular donations of clothing , PPE and other supplies .
Caswellsgroup MD Peter Caswell said : “ At Caswells , we love to invest in our staff and our community — it is so rewarding to give back to the wonderful people who facilitate what we do .
“ We are very proud of our Teesside roots and our community means a lot to us .
“ We are happy to support our local charities and directly support groups that are looking after the most vulnerable .”
For more about the company , visit caswellsgroup . com
The voice of business in the Tees region | 105