Boost for North East Charities Thanks to Seaward

Electrical test and measurement equipment specialist has donated thousands of pounds to County Durham charities.

Seaward Electronic, based in Peterlee, County Durham, has donated £3,000 to three local charities to help support a number of important community activities.

Working to create social equality and prosperity within the former pit village, The Little House of Hope in Thornley has received £1,000 towards transport costs for its ‘Hope Sings’ choir. Thanking Seaward for its generosity, choirmaster Sue Furness, said: “Donations like this make a big difference. We have three events arranged for the rest of the year – performing at an old people’s home, a young mother’s club and finally a Christmas carol service – so the extra funds will be very helpful in transporting the choir from place to place.”

The Alice Hospice in Hartlepool, which cares for and comforts people affected by life-limiting illness or the death of a loved one, has also received a £1,000 after it was nominated by one of Seaward’s employees. Greg Hildreth, business and communications senior manager, said: “It was great to have the opportunity to show Alison and Chris from Seaward around the hospice. They also met with Sue Whalley, our lovely nurse practitioner, and we would like to thank them for their generosity.”

A third donation has gone to Ferryhill’s Little Treasures autism charity, which works from eight locations across the North East to support autistic adults and children – Seaward visited the Peterlee group.

Trustee Clair Black said the donation will help fund summer holiday activities such as axe throwing and air rifle shooting. She added: “We would  like to thank everyone at Seaward for their kind hearted donation, which is helping us to get back on our feet after Covid. We are looking for active volunteers to work at our venues and join our fundraising team, so this extra boost is very welcome.”

Chris Callan, CEO at Seaward, which supplies its products to customers across the UK and around the world, said: “I can’t think of better recipients for our donations. I found the visits incredibly inspiring, the commitment and effort of the people to help each other was amazing.

“From support for people and families with autism, community groups proving services to local people and to a wonderful hospice providing respite and end of life care – all of the people involved gave huge amounts of time and endless enthusiasm, which was I was lucky to see even just a small part of. The donations were possible because of all the work we all do in Seaward. The charities have asked me to pass on their thanks to all the staff as the donations will be a really big help!”

Seaward Electronic is part of GMC Instrumentation Group, a collaboration of separate specialist test equipment manufacturing businesses based in Germany, Switzerland and the USA.