TEES TECH AWARDS 2021
SPONSORED BY RACZ GROUP
TECH FOR GOOD
FINALIST
Winners – Mike Racz with the In Studio team , whose innovation helped ensure a special Christmas for thousands of children .
WINNER
IN STUDIO
It was the ultimate festive “ feelgood ” campaign – and ended with more than 100 times the number of Christmas gifts anticipated .
In December 2020 , Hartlepool ’ s In Studio was approached to build an online platform for the Hartlepool Giving Tree .
This charitable initiative , in which customers purchase gifts for children in need , has been running from Middleton Grange Shopping Centre for many years . But due to the pandemic , it needed to go online and In Studio had just two weeks to create a platform to catch the Christmas shopping crowd .
Donating its time and skills for free , In Studio ’ s aim was to receive 1,500 gifts . But by the end of the campaign , that figure stood at an extraordinary 174,000 .
In Studio graphic designer Helen Wells explained : “ The traditional Giving Tree campaign relies on people being in the town centre , going up to and seeing a physical tree .
“ We built a system where people could go online and choose a gift from a selection of ‘ tags ’. People could do it from their own homes and nobody had to go out shopping , but it meant the kids didn ’ t miss out .
“ It just went crazy . We only had three weeks to do it , but in the end they couldn ’ t keep up with the number of donations they got ! There was definitely a real feelgood factor doing it .”
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Racz Group CEO Mike Racz said : “ Racz Group is certainly proud to support a number of charities and non-profit organisations , so Tech for Good felt like the perfect fit , sponsoring for a second year . The three finalists – High Tide Foundation , In Studio and the Hope Foundation – each displayed innovation and exceptional development within this category , going above and beyond in their respective fields . The eventual winner on the evening was In Studio for their support of the Hartlepool Giving Tree . This project helped to raise more than 170,000 gifts for children , many of whom escaped domestic violence and were forced to flee their homes . Without the Giving Tree , these children may not otherwise have received a gift at Christmas .”
HIGH TIDE FOUNDATION
Middlesbrough ’ s High Tide Foundation is an independent charity delivering meaningful work experience and career programmes to schools , colleges and thousands of young people in the Tees Valley .
The charity ’ s business model was shattered due to the pandemic , with programme delivery halted overnight as schools and workplaces closed .
Now digitally transformed , High Tide supports more young people than ever , with a programme of virtual work experiences spanning more than 10 different sectors .
Industry-led , structured , inspiring and interactive , the programmes offer students an understanding of individual businesses , industries and job roles and inform them of the wealth of career opportunities available in our region .
FINALIST
THE HOPE FOUNDATION
Middlesbrough-based charity the Hope Foundation has joined forces with IT recycling business ComplyIT to develop an online platform that tackles digital poverty across the region .
Furbdit is designed for businesses and individuals to donate old IT equipment for recycling , refurbishment and distribution , with any money made from recycling feeding back in to help the community .
Since Furbdit ’ s inception in April 2021 , 60 devices have been donated and have had a great impact on residents ’ lives .
An example was shown at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust , which was one of the first organisations to receive a donation of refurbished laptops through Furbdit . The devices are now being used by families with children who have diabetes to manage their condition .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 29