Jarrow-based engineering company donates £12,000 to Hebburn Helps to support struggling families over Christmas

Shaun Sadler (centre) with members of the volunteer team at Hebburn Helps (left to right) Angie Comerford, Clive Nesbitt, Jo Durkin, Jean Marriot, Bill West and Maureen
Quarrington. — Shaun Sadler (centre) with members of the volunteer team at Hebburn Helps (left to right) Angie Comerford, Clive Nesbitt, Jo Durkin, Jean Marriot, Bill West and Maureen Quarrington.

Jarrow-based, UTS Engineering has donated £12,000 to Hebburn Helps, which will be used to support families in South Tyneside who are struggling at Christmas.

Hebburn Helps was established in 2015, providing families with food parcels, clothing, baby equipment, toys and household items, relying totally on the generosity of local people and support from local companies.

Shaun Sadler, group managing director at UTS, said: “I recently visited Hebburn Helps and was so impressed by the work it does for people who are struggling in the community.

“I would like to encourage other local companies to become involved with this truly worthy cause. We need charities that can support people when things get tough, especially around the festive period.”

This year, Hebburn Helps has distributed 3,500 emergency food parcels, prepared 1,800 pack lunches during school holidays, cooked 700 hot meals and organised a day trip to Scarborough for over 90 children.

Angie Comerford, co-founder of Hebburn Helps, said: “We’re overwhelmed with the generous donation from UTS Engineering, which will allow us to help a great number of people who use our services.

“The donation takes away a lot of the pressure that we were facing going into the New Year and will help to finance our Holiday Hunger Club. Times are hard at the minute for many people and families are struggling to put food on the table for their children.”

Some ways you can help Hebburn Helps:

:: Do a food shop for us – the organisation is constantly in need of tinned food, items with a long shelf life and toiletries – and even needs pet food on occasion!

:: Drop items in its collection points in local supermarkets across the area.

:: Consider donating your old, good condition clothes and household items.

:: Organise a fundraising event.

:: Volunteer at its centre or at one of its events.

To find out more about Hebburn Helps and how to help, visit http://hebburnhelps.co.uk/