WINNER : THE CAUSE FOUNDATION
CHARITY / VOLUNTARY
WINNER : THE CAUSE FOUNDATION
It ’ s perhaps best known for its Christmas hamper campaign – but the work it does all year round to help Teessiders in need clinched the Charity prize for The CAUSE Foundation .
The award recognises organisations that go the extra mile when it comes to helping our community .
Since 1987 , The CAUSE Foundation has compiled and distributed Christmas hampers for people across Teesside – although that ’ s just part of what it does nowadays .
And it was a “ shocked ” treasurer Julie Hall and founder Pat McBride who collected the award from CF Fertilisers ’ engineering manager Imran Khaliq – although both were eager to share the credit after pipping Teesside Hospice and the Power of Women campaign .
Julie said : “ We ’ re shocked to win because we were up against two amazing organisations . We ’ re only a little charity – just seven trustees and we ’ re all volunteers .”
And Pat , who last year won the Jane Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution , said : “ It ’ s wonderful – but this is for the team , all our volunteers and trustees .
“ It ’ s lovely , everyone is going to be so excited – and we ’ ve got thousands of followers on Facebook who ’ ll be preparing now to hopefully contribute to our hamper campaign .”
Last year , that campaign saw 1,800 hampers distributed to grateful families who might otherwise have done without – and a similar figure is anticipated this year .
But what keeps them doing what they do ? Pat explained : “ The need – and whenever there ’ s a need , there ’ s a response . I ’ ve said that from day one – people think ‘ we haven ’ t got enough money to do this or that ’ but there ’ s always a response .”
Julie added : “ We always get a bit anxious because we have that many people asking for hampers , and I always worry we ’ re not going to get enough donors , but we always do – the people of Teesside are amazing . They always come through .”
But Pat , who received the BEM in 2018 , emphasised it ’ s not only about hampers .
She said : “ We ’ re known for the hamper campaign but the crisis work we ’ re doing during the year now is unbelievable .
“ We ’ ve bought hundreds of beds this year alone – our beds and bedding project is massive .
“ We had a little boy who ’ d been sleeping on the floor but got a bed and bedding from us and within a couple of weeks , he ’ d made progress at school – and that ’ s what keeps us going .”
The Power of Women campaign has achieved remarkable growth and impact over the past 12 months . Now in its third year , PoW has expanded from five to 24 schools , with plans to reach 30 next year , demonstrating strong demand and success .
The organisation has offered a variety of inspirational activities and visits , including trips to Cambridge University , Teesside Airport and more . And a significant milestone is the involvement of more than 150 female role models , who actively mentor and inspire young people .
Sponsored by CF Fertilisers
Award – CF Fertilisers ’ engineering manager Imran Khaliq with Pat McBride ( centre ) and Julie Hull from Charity Award winners , The CAUSE Foundation .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Power of Women
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
Teesside Hospice
Costing £ 16,000 per day to operate its inpatient unit , bereavement counselling centre and outreach work , Teesside Hospice ’ s dedicated team give their all to ensure that this much-loved organisation thrives for those it was built for – the people of Teesside .
With cash tight in one of the UK ’ s most economically deprived areas , the hospice has made significant strides in income generation thanks to its team ’ s creativity and local generosity .
In the past year , the hospice annual ball raised a record £ 54,000 , the Midnight Walk raised £ 71,000 and the festive Rudolph Run £ 78,000 .
Imran Khaliq , engineering manager , CF Fertilisers The charity award is very close to our heart . We have a campaign at work to help in the local area and have volunteering days so out of all the sponsorship opportunities , we felt this was most akin to what we do and believe in . We ’ re a big employer in the local area and always want to give something back to the community . And the calibre of finalists was phenomenal .
2024