The Foodbank received a much-needed boost after receiving a cheque for more than £2,200 from the Hartlepool Business Awards after it was named the chosen charity for this year’s showpiece.
The donation will fund 720 meals for people facing food insecurity in the town.
The night raised over £2,200 for the foodbank, made up of online donations as well as more than £1,100 donated in envelopes during the event.
The annual Hartlepool Business Awards – which was held at Hardwick Hall – was organised by Hartlepool Business Forum and Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth Team.
Harrison Smith, a member of the Forum’s steering group who co-hosted the awards night with Simon Corbett, went along to the foodbank in Church Street to hand over the cheque to the charity.
Harrison, the managing director of Azalea Wealth Management, said: “The generosity shown at the Hartlepool Business Awards was overwhelming and we are so proud to present this cheque for over £2,000. The foodbank is an essential pillar of our community, working tirelessly to ensure nobody goes hungry.”
He added: “For those of us in the business sector, it’s about more than just celebrating commercial success, it’s our duty to look after our own and support the incredible charities operating right on our doorstep.”
Hartlepool Foodbank is open twice a week and provides three days’ worth of emergency food to local people who have found themselves in a crisis situation.
Last year, the foodbank provided 2,901 three-day emergency food supplies, supporting 5,053 local people.
Lisa Lavender, project coordinator at Hartlepool Foodbank, said: “It was an honour to be the chosen charity of Hartlepool Business Awards this year. A huge thank you to everyone. Donations like this are so important to us at Hartlepool Foodbank, the funds donated will provide us with 80 single food parcels, a whopping 720 meals. This will go a long way to continue supporting those who need us.”
She added: “Companies across the town are invited to become Foodbank Champions. Our new monthly donor programme gives the chance for companies, whatever their size, to get involved for a small affordable amount making a huge difference to our sustainability whilst achieving Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives.”
The donation highlights the important role businesses can play in supporting the Hartlepool community, with the Foodbank Champions scheme offering companies an opportunity to make a lasting difference to residents experiencing food insecurity.
More than 300 people attended the awards earlier this month to celebrate the achievements of local businesses.
The night included a special tribute to the late Brian Beaumont, the former Business Leader of the Year, who died last December and was instrumental in the original creation of the business awards.
The prestigious Peter Olsen Award went to Frances Connolly, founder of The PFC Trust, who said: “This award is such a great thing for the business community to do for me. I don’t know how to say thank you enough.”
The night was made possible by main sponsors of the evening NE Security, X-energy and Qualitech.
*Anyone wanting to learn more about the Foodbank Champions programme should please contact [email protected]
By Beth Heslop
Author: Hartlepool Life
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