FEATURE
Darlington support- The Teesside Charity trustee Alisdair Beveridge with representatives of Darlington’ s King’ s Church food bank.
REACHING OUT
The Teesside Charity grows presence in Darlington
PICTURES: DOUG MOODY PHOTOGRAPHY
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major Tees-based charity is seeing early signs of positive impacts after expanding to Darlington – and is now calling on the town’ s charities, community groups and schools to get involved.
In June 2025, The Teesside Charity began welcoming grant applications from organisations within the local authority of Darlington, marking a major milestone in its mission to bridge the gap, providing social and economic opportunities that would not otherwise have existed in the area.
Harriet Spalding, chair of trustees, said:“ By broadening our reach, we’ re ensuring that no part of the region is left behind and that people living in the local authorities of Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool can all benefit from the same level of connection and opportunity.”
For 14 years, The Teesside Charity has provided a lifeline for young people, families, community groups, the homeless, those recovering from an addiction, the long-term unemployed, those living in poverty or those living with a disability in Teesside.
This expansion wouldn’ t be possible without the ongoing commitment of platinum patrons, patrons, Infant Hercules Charity Club members and centurions, whose contributions have been instrumental in enabling the charity to grow and support the people who need it most in the region.
Now, Darlington joins the fold, bringing the charity’ s full offer of funding schemes, caravan holidays, Teesside Hero Awards and the Christmas Toy Appeal to charities, not-for-profit organisations, CICs, CIOs and schools based within the local authority of Darlington, alongside continued support for communities within the local authority areas of Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.
Harriet added:“ This expansion means stronger local networks and a louder voice for the communities we serve. Over the years, we ' ve witnessed and experienced the incredible things that can happen when
Just the start- King’ s Church Food Bank was the first Darlington recipient of The Teesside Charity.
we reach out, help and connect to those in need. This move strengthens our mission to not just offer help, but to build a lasting change in partnership with local people.” The first grant in Darlington went to King’ s Church, which runs a referral- based food bank twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, for those experiencing hardship.
Following its expansion, the charity has also introduced its Inspiring Futures initiative, in collaboration with Spark Tees Valley, to schools in the area. Aimed at shaping children’ s futures, the initiative gives students early exposure to the working world, helping them connect classroom learning with real-life careers, giving them something to aspire to.
Giving- trustee Alisdair Beveridge presented a donation to the King’ s Church food bank.
Darlington-based organisations interested in applying for funding or learning more about the eligibility criteria are encouraged to contact Rachel. p @ teessidecharity. org. uk
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