LOGISTICS
GIVING BACK
Philanthropy – MFC Foundation is one of the many charities and good causes AV Dawson backs.
Honouring, protecting and inspiring: AV Dawson’ s commitment to community
At AV Dawson, community is at the heart of the business. With deep local roots and a proud heritage, the company’ s commitment to giving back is part of its DNA.
Guided by its purpose – to honour the past, protect what has been built and inspire future generations – AV Dawson brings its values to life through meaningful action.
From charitable giving and employee volunteering to partnerships with local organisations, the company takes a proactive and purposeful approach to supporting its community.
As a proud Teesside business that was founded in Linthorpe, in the heart of Middlesbrough, charity starts at home for the firm. The business supports local charities and clubs including the Teesside Charity, Teesside Hospice, MFC Foundation, the Headlight Project, Middlesbrough Rugby Club, Hutton Rudby Tennis Club, Teesside Sea Cadets and Tees Maritime, to name but a few.
These local partnerships reflect a commitment to making a meaningful difference across Teesside.
The firm’ s commitment to community goes far beyond financial donations. It’ s about showing up, sharing expertise and offering practical support where it’ s needed most.
The business regularly donates its time through voluntary work, with colleagues rolling up their sleeves to support local charities and community groups.
Louise Croce, AV Dawson’ s people and culture director, says:“ We’ ve always been a business that likes to give back to the local community, whether that’ s money, time or in other practical ways.
“ With‘ family’ being one of our values, we demonstrate this through supporting our charity partners and local community. We treat everybody associated with the AV Dawson group like family – whether you are a customer, supplier, colleague or friend of the business.”
AV Dawson recognises its responsibility to give back to the community it was founded within more than 87 years ago. This commitment, championed by chairman Gary Dawson, is embedded across every department within the AV Dawson Group.
Louise continues:“ One way we do this is by offering our conference suite and meeting rooms free of charge to charities and community groups on a Monday.
“ This small token really helps them. Whether it’ s to come together as a team or use it for an event, it gives them a space to collaborate in that they might not have access to otherwise.”
AV Dawson’ s contribution goes far beyond financial support. The company engages with sports and education groups and partners with Hutton Rudby Tennis Club and Middlesbrough Rugby Club – AV Dawson’ s chairman’ s choice of clubs.
It also supports every stage of the careers journey – from primary schools to universities – by welcoming students into the workplace and visiting classrooms and lecture theatres to inspire future talent.
Volunteering is another cornerstone of its approach to giving back to the local community. The company recently introduced a new benefit to colleagues, whereby they receive one paid volunteering day per year.
Louise says:“ It’ s a great initiative to give back to those charities or community groups that need an extra helping hand
36 | Tees Business