Supporting our Local Communities

Charities need our support now more than ever. Covid-19 has severely impacted the charity sector, with many organisations struggling to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

As a social enterprise, we’re committed to making a lasting difference to our communities and appreciate that much life-changing work is carried out by local charities, that rely on donations to continue providing vital help and support to those most in need.

That’s why we’re thrilled to be able to donate £600 to each of our 2021 charity partners – St Oswald’s Hospice and Children North East – as chosen by our Newcastle branch colleagues.

Above and Beyond Awards

Every Month, our colleagues in Tyneside nominate their colleagues for the ‘Above and Beyond Award, for going the extra mile. As well as receiving a £30 gift voucher, the value is matched by Be Caring and our colleague nominates the funds for a local charity.

Marion Heddon, one of our Home Support Workers in North Tyneside, was nominated for the Above and Beyond Award, for helping a customer find their wedding rings. On arriving at the customer’s after being discharged, Marion found the customer crying and inconsolable. Her wedding rings had been cut off and removed while in hospital. Marion contacted the hospital, collected the rings and has dropped them at a local jewellers for repair.

Mauretania FC

The funds for these donations were also raised by a local football club – Mauretania FC, with Be Caring as proud kit sponsors.  Mauretania FC raised money through a Family Fun Day, which included bouncy castles, face painting and a tombola, a and a Race Night, with virtual horse races and raffles raising over £1,200.  Mauretania FC donated half their funds, and Be Caring matched this using some of the funds raised through our monthly Above and Beyond Awards for our wonderful Care and Support Workers, resulting in £600 donated to both charities.

A big thank you to all the crew at Mauretania FC for your fundraising efforts!

St Oswald’s

Angela Egdell, Director of Care Services at St Oswald’s Hospice said:

 St Oswald’s Hospice is a local charitable hospice helping people who have life-limiting conditions to make the most of life, no matter how long that life is. Rooted in the North East, the charity has supported local people and their families for over 35 years. Specialist and expert care is free of charge to babies, children, young people, adults and their families.

It is thanks to our incredibly generous community of supporters of individuals and companies like Be Caring, that we are able to continue our vital work across the north east. We just couldn’t do what we do without their support.

The £600 donation we have received from Be Caring will be put to great use at the hospice.  on our Adult Inpatient Unit. It could fund 7 days’ supply of oxygen, 15 patient meals and 1 IV drip stand, all essential for the wellbeing of our patients. Another way it could make a big difference could be to fund 8 specialist bereavement support sessions for an adult or child struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. And for our young people who rely on our children and young adults service for respite breaks, it could cover the cost of a special day trip where memories are made and magical moments are shared.

To put it another way, Be Caring and  Mauretania FC have funded 30 hours of nursing care, meaning that at a time when they may be at their most scared and vulnerable, you have helped an adult or child in your community to feel safe, comforted and most importantly, not alone. What an amazing gift.

“On behalf of our whole hospice community, thank you to Be Caring for their kindness and support.”

To find out more about St Oswald’s Hospice and how you can get involved and support our work, visit www.stoswaldsuk.org or search St Oswald’s Hospice on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Children North East

North East provide a wide range of support including therapeutic services, mental health support, community based services and domestic abuse services.

For every £1 donated – 87p is used to help babies, children and young people, 11p is for support costs and 2p is used to help with fundraising activities.

In the past year, Children North East have used donations to create life-changing differences for nearly 4,000 children.

This year marks Children North East’s 130th Anniversary! If you would like to support their 130th Anniversary Appeal so they can continue their important work in the North East, please visit their website for more information .

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