_space group and Children North East paint Newcastle pink

Newcastle architects _space group have donated almost £16,000 to regional children’s charity, Children North East, thanks to fundraising at their annual charity event, the Think Pink Ball.

The event, held at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel in Newcastle, saw over 200 guests come together to raise a total of £15,755 through table bookings, a charity auction and private donations.

Money raised at the ball will be used to support young people and families who are suffering from the effects of poverty and neglect, with a portion going to support Hill Court, temporary accommodation where Children North East supports children and their parents who are homeless or fleeing from unfortunate circumstances.

Jeremy Cripps, Chief Executive, Children North East, said: “We are extremely grateful to _space group for once again supporting our important work ensuring that children and young people enjoy a good childhood and fulfil their potential no matter how poor their family circumstances are; and to help families move quickly through crises such as homelessness to re-establish themselves.”

The charity auction, which saw prizes including a Newcastle United match day experience, donated by David Smailes of Morgan Sindall and a charity golf day with Ant and Dec, sourced by Janet Richardson, raised £3,750 for the good cause.

Rob Charlton, chief executive, _space group, said: “In the current climate, encouraging people to donate to charity is an uphill struggle, and we have found this is doubly so when looking at our own industry. So for us, being able to have the support of 220 guests at the Think Pink Ball, some from large construction companies, was heartwarming and a wonderful expression of peoples’ desire to help, no matter how hard times are.

“We wouldn’t have been able to make the Think Pink Ball the success it was if we hadn’t been given support and time from individuals who made it their responsibility to be involved with this cause. For example, Janet Richardson, wife of Children North East trustee Stephen Richardson, who was able to encourage prize donations from across the region. We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us and hope that we can continue to work with Children North East in the future.”

_space group has worked with Children North East since 2007, and has raised in excess of £50,000 for the charity, thanks to donations from the Think Pink Ball, sponsored participation in the Great North Run and regular staff donations.

LOCAL KIDS RECIEVE CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM SPACE

Space Group’s Christmas Giving Tree with presents for disadvantaged youngsters from Children North East.

ARCHITECTURAL firm Space Group is hoping to lift disadvantaged kids ‘out of this world’ by delivering special Christmas gifts.

As part of Space Group’s Christmas ‘giving tree’ scheme, talent manager Diane Charlton gave each of Space’s 140 employees a gift tag with the name, age and interests of a child helped by Children North East.

Each person was then given a budget of £10 to spend on a Christmas present.

Space Group has supported the region’s oldest children’s charity Children North East for many years. It is currently volunteering its services in-kind by designing and building a new youth drop-in centre for the charity - The West End Youth Enquiry Service (WEYES), and every year it arranges the ‘Think Pink’ ball for the charity.

Space Group talent manager Diane Charlton said: “Space Group has always championed Children North East because of the excellent work they do for disadvantaged children within the region.

“Our Christmas ‘giving tree’ is a great way for all our people to give Christmas presents to children not so fortunate at this time of year. We all can’t wait for the excuse to go shopping for a special child whose Christmas would otherwise be a bit grim.”

Children North East’s Carol Taylor said: ‘We are very thankful to Space Group for all its support over the years. Their gifts this Christmas will be cheerfully received by the children and put a smile on their faces over the festive season.”

Children North East was formed in 1891 and is the longest running children’s charity in the North East.

The organisation manages a number of diverse, region-wide community-based projects from Northumberland to Teesside.

The charity aims to enable children and young people to reach their full potential and to ease the pressures that life’s inequalities can bring.