This round-up of events is written by readers. To get your charity event or story included, simply fill out the form at www.chroniclelive.co.uk/charitynews

Annual North East property rugby festival in Gosforth

Raising money for: St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth

A number of the region’s property consultancies have joined forces to organise the North East Property Rugby Festival in aid of St Oswald’s Hospice.

Knight Frank, GVA, Silverstone Building Consultancy and LSH are aiming to triple last year’s total in order to raise a monumental £10,000 at this year’s festival, which will take place on Wednesday, April 18 at Northern Rugby Club in Gosforth.

This year’s event has an exciting twist making it bigger than ever before. The committee has secured a further two rugby teams, which makes the 2018 Rugby Festival the battle of four regions. With the North East, Yorkshire, North West and the Midlands all involved, it promises to be a great day for networking and a fun day out for all involved in the property and construction sector.

Douglas Cranston, a partner at Knight Frank, said: “There are very few families locally whose lives have not been touched by the great work, support and care provided by St Oswald’s Hospice. Not only do St Oswald’s provide end-of-life care but the support they offer in the Children and Young Adults Service is overwhelming.

“We were keen to build on the successes and money raised following last year’s inaugural festival and making it the 4 regions cup was the next logical step. We must pass on our thanks to our Yorkshire, North West and Midland representatives for making the journey and supporting this year’s event.”

To find out more or to buy tickets please visit the website here: http://www.neproprugbyfest.co.uk/ or to find out how you can get involved and support St Oswald’s Hospice visit their website here: https://www.stoswaldsuk.org/

Dog walk and competition in Chester-le-Street

Walkies at Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street
Walkies at Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street

Raising money for: St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham

Laura McKenzie said: “Paws for a Cause is back on Sunday, April 29 at Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street. Two routes are available - 1.5 miles or 3 miles. Fun for dogs and humans with a fun dog show. Categories include: Prettiest Pooch, Handsome Hound, Happiest Dog, Best Fancy Dress & Most Like Owner. Walk Registration is £10 per dog, humans go free!

“The dog show is £1 per category. We are proud to be pet friendly at St Cuthbert’s and often welcome along dogs to visit patients.

“We know how much it means to people to see their ‘best friend’. It’s great to be able to put together an event that our four-legged friends can take part in too.”

Appeal for support for homeless young people in Gateshead

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The Barnardo’s Supported Lodgings service is asking people in Gateshead who have a spare bedroom to open up their home to a young person and support them so they can move on to independent living.

Operating from The BASE Centre in Whitley Bay, the service provides supported lodgings for young people who need a period of stability in their lives after coming out of the care system.

The Supported Lodgings Service lead, Carol Preston, says that becoming a supported lodgings provider will make a real difference to a young person’s life. She said: “Vulnerable young people who do not have the support of a loving family run the risk of sleeping rough on the streets, which is a dangerous place to be. We urgently need people throughout Gateshead to consider opening up their homes to young people who are in desperate need of accommodation.

“It is a really rewarding role, you can help a young person to get back on track and move on to a brighter future. Seeing that young person grow in confidence and then move on to live independently is a fantastic feeling.”

Supported Lodgings provider Bev says: “You relate the thought that a young person that age could be homeless to your own children and you think you’d absolutely be devastated if that happened. I really enjoy being a Supported Lodgings provider - I love helping, I love working with the young people, I love the challenges and I love helping them to see things in a different way.”

And young people who have been supported are equally happy about the arrangement. “They are always there when you need someone to talk to” says one young person while another says: “It’s not often that a person can say their entire life has been remoulded and reshaped for the better. Before Barnardo’s I lacked confidence to do pretty much anything, thanks to all I can finally say that I am actually happy.”

Supported Lodging providers come from all walks of life and are a mixture of single people, couples and families. They need to be patient, have a good sense of humour and an understanding of young people and their needs. A weekly fee of approximately £150 per week is paid and training and ongoing support are given.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Supported Lodgings provider please contact Carol or Karen Jolley on 0191 253 2127 or email carol.preston@barnardos.org.uk or karen.jolley@barnardos.org.uk

Supporting Washington’s food bank and Biddick Primary School’s sensory room

Neil Mconie said: “Rock & roll with five-piece classic rock band called Rockafellas is the attraction at Biddick Social Club, Fatfield, on Friday, April 27 from 7.30pm until 11.30pm.

“Along with a packed night of entertainment, including fabulous raffle prizes, bingo, Elvis singer, and more! Food can be bought. It’s a great singing, dancing, fun night, all for £5!

“Come and give your support for your local community. Tickets can be obtained from The Washington Arms, in the village, also from Biddick Social Club, or by contacting Neil at neilmconie@talktalk.net”

Prom in the Community project at Newcastle shopping centre

TV presenter Rachel Sweeney launches the collaboration between intu Eldon Square and Prom in the Community. Rachel Sweeney donated two dresses close to her heart and deposited them into the bespoke prom donation box situated in intu Eldon Square (09/04/2018)
TV presenter Rachel Sweeney launches the collaboration between intu Eldon Square and Prom in the Community. Rachel Sweeney donated two dresses close to her heart and deposited them into the bespoke prom donation box situated in intu Eldon Square (09/04/2018)

intu Eldon Square has joined forces with Cramlington mum Nicola Tunstill to ensure all girls in the region will go to the prom!

Nicola, 31, is making headlines with her Prom in the Community project, a small group hiring out dream designer prom dresses for free.

Nicola said: “I set up this project after a close friend struggled to send her daughter to the prom last year, having to get the dress, make-up, hair, a car - the bigger these proms get the more expensive they become!”

“It was just so unfair that some girls were missing out on the chance to go to the prom simply due to the financial burden that buying a prom dress puts on the family.

"I’ve heard stories of people who’ve missed their proms because they felt the expectation to have a dress they just couldn’t afford - I just want more people to know that there is something which can help.

"I’ve set up a Facebook page for people to get in touch or people can just search for ‘prom in the community’ and they’ll find me!”

“I’m so grateful to intu Eldon Square for offering their support, they are going to place a prom donation box at the shopping centre, and also take postal donations, as well as promoting my campaign on social media so that will be a huge support.”

The bespoke prom box, which is now in position outside Debenhams on St Andrew’s Way, was launched by ITV Tyne Tees Good Morning Britain presenter Rachel Sweeney, who donated two special outfits.

Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC celebrate new equipment success

Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC
Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC

Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC kicked off their pitch improvement project during a Newcastle United Foundation holiday camp on Tuesday, 10 April, following the arrival of their state-of-the-art ground maintenance equipment. The project was made possible thanks to a £23,403 grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation.

The investment enabled Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC to purchase pitch maintenance equipment, including a brand new tractor and mower system, which will help to improve the quality of the club’s four grass pitches.

It is expected that fewer fixture and training cancellations will occur as a result, and overall use of the pitches will receive a boost thanks to the playing surface improvement project.

This will benefit the club’s 24 teams, ranging from under-seven to senior level, in addition to other users. These include Newcastle United Foundation, who deliver a selection of community outreach sessions at Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC’s ground, as well as Dunston UTS FC and Saltwell FC.

Players are also able to take advantage of a third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP), which was refurbished in 2014 thanks to a £456,911 grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England.

The three organisations also invested £102,000, through the Football Foundation, for a new changing pavilion at the site, which was officially opened by Alan Pardew back in 2012.

Thanks to the improved surfaces, and the increase in playing capacity expected on-site as a result, Gateshead Redheugh 1957 FC hope to introduce 10 brand new teams. Of these, four will be girls’ sides at the Under-10 to Under-14 levels.

Gosforth charity volunteer appeal

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Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, who are already recruiting for volunteer ambulance drivers due to high demands for the service, are now also recruiting volunteers for the 2018 Last Night of the Proms Chorus!

The Proms, held annually, at Newcastle City Hall on Saturday, October 13, has a chorus of 200. This amazing event has been a sellout with audiences of over 2,000!

Once again singers in the area are being invited to join the Prom chorus to provide backing for the three guest soloists from the world of opera.

If you are a singer or a driver and would like to join Daft as a Brush, please contact: Tony Walton Tel: 0191 285 5999 Email: tony.walton@daftasabrush.org.uk

Football match in South Shields for Manchester bombings charity

Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry
Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry

Robert Patterson said: “I am working with the Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust arranging a charity football game which will involve family, friends and some special guests.

“The match is to be played at Mariners Park the home of South Shields FC on Monday 7th May, 1pm kick off. We have some fantastic raffle prizes, bouncy castle, and food & Drink being sold.”

South Shields teenagers Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry, her boyfriend, died at the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1660254020723551/

Choppington church celebrates 50 years

Stakeford Methodist Church in Northumberland is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the opening of the present building by hosting a series of events.

The main anniversary of the Methodist church is in April, however, celebrations are set to run throughout the year.

On Saturday the April 28th there will be a coffee morning and Gift Day from 10am until noon with displays of photographs and memorabilia from the last 50 years.

On Sunday 29th April there will be an anniversary service at 10. 30am. All are welcome. The preacher will be the Reverend Steve Wild, former president of the Methodist Conference.

On Saturday 5th May there will be an open day 10am to 4pm with photographs and displays of memorabilia and a chance to catch up with friends over coffee, tea, scones, and cake.

Later in the year on May 27, Revd. Jona Sewell will lead worship followed by a service led by Revd Marie Beard on 1st July. The Harvest Festival Service on 14th October will be led by Revd. Geoff Dougill a former minister of the church. We welcome you all to these services.

Durham Army Cadets compete for a Canadian adventure

Rear row left to right - Cadet Corporal Ben Harbottle (16) from Birtley, Cadet Corporal James Godfrey (16) from Chester le Street and Cadet Lance Corporal Katie Handyside from Washington (are the cadets selected). Front Row left to right Cadet Sergeant Marc Hague (16) from Stanley and Cadet Sergeant Amy McCartney (16) from South Tyneside.
Rear row left to right - Cadet Corporal Ben Harbottle (16) from Birtley, Cadet Corporal James Godfrey (16) from Chester le Street and Cadet Lance Corporal Katie Handyside from Washington (are the cadets selected). Front Row left to right Cadet Sergeant Marc Hague (16) from Stanley and Cadet Sergeant Amy McCartney (16) from South Tyneside.

On Thursday, April 5, 83 cadets formed up at Cwrt-y-Gollen Cadet Training Centre, the headquarters of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force (ACF) to take part in Exercise Oak Leaf, the national selection event for the Canadian Exchange 2018.

They arrived from all corners of the United Kingdom with cadets attending from the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Army Cadet Force (ACF) to compete for their place. The five Durham hopefuls arrived well prepared and ready for the challenges that lay ahead.

There are three courses available in Canada each summer; Cadet Sergeant Marc Hague (16) from Stanley and Cadet Sergeant Amy McCartney (16) from South Tyneside applied for the Rocky Mountain course in Alberta. Cadet Corporal James Godfrey (15) from Chester-le-Street is hopeful to be selected for the Argonaut Course in New Brunswick and Cadet Corporal Ben Harbottle (16) from Birtley and Cadet Lance Corporal Katie Handyside (16) from Washington are set on the Whitehorse Course in the Yukon Territory.

Durham ACF have had three cadets selected to fly to Canada for a six-week adventure in the summer.

Sensory garden in North Shields

Lilys blooms! Member of Creative Minds, made and sold flower arrangements to contribute to the "project sensory garden appeal!" Here Lily is presenting the profits she made to The Meadow Well Connected "seeds of change"
Lilys blooms! Member of Creative Minds, made and sold flower arrangements to contribute to the "project sensory garden appeal!" Here Lily is presenting the profits she made to The Meadow Well Connected "seeds of change"

Raising money for: Creative Minds

Founder Wendy Jackson said: “We are raising funds to develop a sensory garden at The Meadow Well Connected. This will benefit the local community and promote inclusion and awareness for people living with head injury/conditions such as autism, dementia and mental health issues. We need your support with this project and appreciate any any made on our just giving page (project sensory garden).

"Every member of the constitution adults and the “young faces” of Creative Minds have a condition or experience of living with head injury/conditions.

"We actively feel passionately about improving & activities, social inclusion, community integration and sharing awareness to improve community understanding. Importantly,the “young faces” and reach out to the younger generation.”

Focus groups in Newcastle, Alnwick, Hexham, Blyth, and Darlington

Parkinson’s UK needs your help to get active!
Parkinson’s UK needs your help to get active!

Parkinson’s UK, the national charity for people with Parkinson’s and Sport England have teamed up to run the Parkinson’s Power Project, which is designed to deliver innovative ways to help people become and stay active.

Tim Morton, who manages the project, said: “We know that being active can really help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s, as well as increasing physical and mental wellbeing.

"We also know however that there are real barriers faced by people every day to getting and staying active, and we want to learn more about those barriers and how we can overcome them.

“I’m delighted the pilot work for this important project is taking place in the North East and I hope as many people with Parkinson’s and their partners and carers can help us develop some really exciting new ways of enjoying and benefiting from exercise and activity.”

Focus groups are taking place across the region in April, and if you or your partner has Parkinson’s Disease the project would love to hear from you.

The focus group sessions are taking place in Newcastle, Alnwick, Hexham, Blyth, and Darlington and you can find out more and book your place by contacting Tim Morton from Parkinson’s UK at tmorton@parkinsons.org.uk or calling 07917 267032.

To learn more about Parkinson’s Disease, or to talk to one of our experts please visit our website at www.parkinsons.org.uk or call our free confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.

Rescue dog appeal from Cyprus

Gerry Quinlan of SOS Oroklini said: “I am part of a rescue team in Cyprus in a small village near Larnaca called Oroklini.

“​Two ladies, Jeanette Borchardt ​and Louise McElroy, ​started the group in late summer 2013 and since then have rescued close to 1000 dogs from being put to sleep by having them adopted in mostly UK​,​ but also Germany​, Holland​ and Sweden.​

“The law in Cyprus allows a council to put a dog to sleep after 15 days if it has not been claimed by an owner. Therefore, we work tirelessly to find adopters to save our rescue dogs from that fate. A small team of rehomers work day and night to find potential adopters and ​our supporters in ​the North East play a big part in it.

“Anyone interested in adopting, fostering or making a donation please contact sos.dogs.cyprus@gmail.com”

Workshop about keeping children safe online in Newcastle

Parents and carers are being invited to a lunchtime session to learn about keeping children safe online.

The workshop, delivered by NSPCC and O2 staff, will be held in the banqueting hall at Newcastle Civic Centre, in Barras Bridge, on Wednesday, April 18, between noon and 1pm.

The event has been set up by Newcastle NSPCC Business Board which helps raise the charity’s profile and assists in fundraising.

The free workshop is designed to give parents and professionals the skills and knowledge to understand the internet as young people do, and to encourage parents to talk to their children about the online world and its risks.

At the end of the session NSPCC-trained O2 tech experts will be available to give advice and people can bring along handheld devices for them to look at.

Helen Westerman, NSPCC campaigns manager for the North of England, said: “The online world can be unfamiliar and sometimes daunting to parents. But to protect our children it is vital that we understand the technology and can have informed conversations with them about it.

“Anyone who cares for children is invited to this session. We believe that if people and their children are aware of the potential opportunities and dangers faced online then they are better placed to protect themselves against them.”

Michaela Reaney, chair of the business board, said: “This is a great opportunity for anyone who isn’t as au fait with the online world as they would like to be or feel they should be.

“It’s fantastic that Newcastle City Council has provided the venue for us to host this extremely valuable event.”

Anyone who would like to attend can just turn up at the Civic Centre before the session starts.