Community Engagement Archives

Charity of the Year 2025 — Gary White -Teesside Family Trustee, Gemma Peacock – Applebridge Charity Coordinator, Richard Poole -Teesside Family Trustee

At Applebridge, we’re committed to giving back to the communities that have shaped who we are. That’s why we’re delighted to announce that The Teesside Family has been named our Charity of the Year for 2025.

The decision marks the beginning of a year-long partnership, during which Applebridge Family will provide £15,000 to help The Teesside Family continue its vital work across the region.

The Teesside Family is a volunteer-led, registered charity that delivers practical and emotional support to individuals and families facing illness, financial hardship, or personal crisis. Whether it’s offering short respite breaks or supporting community and grassroots sports groups that lack funding, their work makes a meaningful difference to local lives.

Our nomination for The Teesside Family came through The CAUSE Foundation, our 2024 Charity of the Year, who recognised the incredible impact the organisation has had in Teesside.

Gemma Peacock, Applebridge’s Charity of the Year Coordinator, shared:

“The Teesside Family stood out because of the direct, hands-on support they provide to people in difficult circumstances. The charity’s reach is wide, yet the support it gives feels incredibly personal. We’re pleased to be supporting an organisation rooted in the same communities where many of our colleagues and clients live and work.”

The £15,000 donation will be used to expand access to support services, enable more families to enjoy respite breaks, and provide funding for community-led wellbeing and sporting initiatives.

Tony Wedlake, Founder and Trustee of The Teesside Family Foundation, said:

“We are delighted that such an amazing company like Applebridge has chosen to support the continued work that the Foundation does within the community.”

Applebridge’s Charity of the Year initiative has previously supported several regional causes, including The CAUSE Foundation (2024), Victoria’s Wish (2023), The Ellen Timney Foundation (2022), and Remembering Rebecca (2021) — each selected for their dedication to supporting vulnerable individuals and promoting community wellbeing.

We’re incredibly proud to support The Teesside Family and look forward to a year of fundraising, volunteering, and making a positive impact together.

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We are thrilled to share the fantastic outcome of our recent charity golf day, where we successfully raised £3,000 for The CAUSE Foundation, our chosen Applebridge Charity of the Year. This charity is dedicated to supporting families across Teesside, and we couldn’t be prouder of the difference we are making together.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our clients, suppliers, and friends who joined us. Your generosity and support made this day possible. We truly appreciate every donation, and we hope you had as much fun as we did.

Congratulations to Our Raffle Winners

A big thank you to everyone who donated raffle prizes. Congratulations to all the lucky winners! We hope you enjoy your prizes as much as we enjoyed hosting the raffle.

Our Commitment to the Community

At Applebridge, we believe in nurturing and giving back to the community we are a part of. Our Applebridge Charity of the Year initiative is a testament to this commitment. It’s not just about business for us; it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives.

The CAUSE Foundation

This year, we are supporting The CAUSE Foundation, which provides essential hampers to families in need across Teesside. These hampers are given to those nominated by Social Workers, Schools, and other charities. To learn more about the CAUSE Foundation please visit:

https://www.cause-foundation.org.uk/

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We are thrilled to announce that The CAUSE Foundation is our new ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2024! This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting families in Teesside.

This announcement comes as we wrap up a wonderful year of collaboration with Victoria’s Wish, our 2023 charity partner. Our journey with Victoria’s Wish has been nothing short of inspiring. We’ve seen firsthand how our contributions have made a real difference, particularly with our final sponsorship: a static campervan in the serene Lake District. This campervan offers a peaceful retreat for families of young people facing life-threatening illnesses, providing a much-needed break from hospital visits and treatments.

Ian Lawrence, the founder of Victoria’s Wish, shared his heartfelt thanks: “We are incredibly thankful to the Applebridge Family. The caravan will provide a sanctuary where families can find comfort and peace during the most challenging times of their lives. It’s gestures like these that truly make a difference.”

Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do. Donny Hughes, our founder and CEO, reflected on this initiative: “We believe in making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us. Partnering with Victoria’s Wish has allowed us to extend that support to families facing unimaginable challenges.”

Looking ahead, we are eager to work with The CAUSE Foundation. This partnership will not only involve our financial support but also activities throughout the year, including a major fundraising event at the Wynyard Estate Golf Course.

Pat McBride, co-founder of The CAUSE Foundation, expressed their gratitude: “We are absolutely delighted and profoundly grateful to be chosen as the Applebridge Charity of the Year. It will make a huge difference to our charity and gives us confidence to continue supporting the families in need across Teesside.”

Adrianna Hughes, our Charity of the Year Trustee, echoed this enthusiasm: “The CAUSE Foundation embodies the essence of community spirit and dedication that we at Applebridge Family aim to support. Their commitment to aiding families and individuals in need across Teesside is truly inspiring, and we are proud to play a part in their incredible journey.”

As we start this new partnership, we look forward to making a positive impact together. Thank you for your continued support in helping us make a difference in our community.

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In an acknowledgement of both longevity and financial success, Applebridge Family was awarded ‘Business of the Year’ title at this year’s Business IQ Awards. This honour comes as a testament to our sustained commitment to excellence and innovation over a remarkable decade in business.

The Business IQ Awards are known for spotlighting standout achievements in the North East business community. Securing such an accolade serves as a significant nod to organisations that not only show robust financial records but also embody the principles of leadership, sustainability, and employee welfare.

Reflecting on the award, Donny Hughes, Founder & CEO of Applebridge, shared his thoughts:

“This recognition from the Business IQ Awards as ‘Business of the Year’ means a lot to us. It’s a reflection not just of our success but of the hard work and dedication of our entire team over the last ten years. This award is for everyone at Applebridge who helped turn our vision into reality.”

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We’re thrilled to announce that the Applebridge Family has been honoured with the ‘Commitment to Employee and Training Development’ award at the Generation4Change Awards 2024

At Applebridge, we believe in the power of education and opportunity. Our involvement with local schools and colleges to promote careers within construction is part of our commitment to reshaping the image of our industry. We aim to open doors for the next generation, showing them the potential and opportunities a career in construction can offer.

Our equal opportunities policy and our “speak-out” forum are crucial tools in our endeavour to create an inclusive and supportive environment. These platforms ensure every voice is heard and valued, contributing to our vibrant company culture and an impressive 85% staff retention rate. It’s clear that our focus on people not only enriches our team’s professional lives but also makes Applebridge a great place to work.

Andy Ray, our Group Operations Director, commented “Winning this award is a proud moment for all of us at Applebridge. It reflects our ongoing commitment to our team’s growth and development. Every day, we see the positive impacts of investing in our people, and this accolade from Generation4Change is wonderful recognition of our team’s hard work and dedication.”

Thank you to all our employees, whose hard work and dedication make all this possible!

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