EDUCATION
Clean-up – pictured during a litter pic at Tees Barrage are Etc . staff , from left , Macy Allison , Rachael Eland and Gemma Barker .
Walk this way - a team from Etc . took part in a fundraising walk to raise funds for Redcar charity the Junction Foundation . Pictured , from left , are Philippa Hambley , Karen Cass , Jenny Hackett , Debbie Todd , Hannah French , Sam Flewker-Barker , Aimee Glendenning , Lynn Corner , Kelly Richardson and Dylan Morland .
There is nothing more important to the college and its staff than the community in which we work .”
innovative move that demonstrates a true shared commitment and drive to put our communities first , this summer , the further education establishments pooled their efforts .
Zoe Lewis , chief executive and principal at Middlesbrough College Group , said : “ There is nothing more important to the college and its staff than the community in which we work and serve , so taking part in Time for Tees was something we were all very keen to do .”
Darlington College chief executive and principal David Gartland said : “ We already have great relationships within the communities we serve . By enabling our staff to fundraise and volunteer as part of a dedicated event , it allowed wider participation , supported our own wellbeing initiatives and further cemented our commitment to being a college at the heart of our community .”
Embarking on a vast range of activities , college staff carried out litter picks , painting and maintenance , fundraising walks , cared for dogs and cats at local animal rescue centres and sorted donations at baby banks and food banks , to name just a few .
Middlesbrough College Group ’ s efforts
included supporting the Stewart Park Run , helping at the Baby Bank Project and assisting horse-riding sessions for disabled children at the RDA Unicorn Centre . Zoe said : “ Our staff grasped the opportunity to do their bit for the community with both hands . I have been blown away by how much they have done in such a short time , and I know from conversations with colleagues how much they have got out of the experience .”
Darlington College ’ s CEO David added : “ We have many staff who dedicate their time to great causes across the year . Time for Tees was an opportunity to really focus on a couple of additional worthwhile projects that made a big impact .”
For colleagues at Darlington this included a mighty effort gathering donations and then helping sort and distribute food at St Andrew ’ s Food Bank in Darlington , while another team transformed a corner of The Well Methodist Church into a vibrant social hub .
Always happy to lead by example , Etc . chief executive Grant joined a team of staff who carried out litter picking at Tees Barrage .
He said : “ The Tees is such a vital asset and as a frequent user of the Seven Bridges Walk , I regularly enjoy running down those towpaths . I joined an enthusiastic crew of litter pickers and , assisted by the kind weather , we had a great morning , and the riverside looked spotless by the time we wrapped up .”
Eager to make Time for Tees a movement on Teesside , Grant is calling for more businesses to get involved next year .
He said : “ There ’ s arguably never been a more important time to show unity in our communities . To have FE colleagues from Darlington College and Middlesbrough College Group join the project was fantastic and means Time for Tees was able to further expand its reach , carrying out local projects that really matter while also shining a spotlight on those doing incredible work in our communities every day .”
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