News

TTFF has stepped in with the funds needed to secure the future of one of Middlesbrough’s oldest grassroots sports clubs.

In what is hoped will be the start of a long-term partnership, our charity has pledged £1,500 to Middlesbrough Amateur Swimming Club (MASC).

This takes the club beyond its £10,000 target for new equipment, coaching and volunteer support.

The donation marks the start of a three-year partnership Between TTF and the club, with the possibility of supporting MASC with a further £500 per year after that.

The Teesside Family Foundation is also open to potentially supporting swimmers who are less fortunate than others with their coaching and equipment needs.

Tony Wedlake, a trustee of TTFF, explained the charity – whose slogan and hashtag is #WELOOKAFTEROUROWN – is keen to support grassroots sports clubs and young hopeful sports stars across Teesside.

“We are looking forward to supporting the club for the next three years, taking our mascot Teesside Ted to galas and presenting trophies,” said Tony.

“The trustees are all very good at supporting our own and our grass roots sports are a key part of that.

“Most of the grassroots sports clubs we support are football clubs.

“But a swimming club is just as important as any other club, so when we saw a swimming club looking for funds, particularly one with such a long and proud history in the area, we were keen to get involved.”

The swimming club, which has been around since 1886, set up a CrowdFunder page after the cancellation of galas due to Covid saw it lose out on dozens of fundraising opportunities last year.

More than £8,000 was raised – and TTFF’s donation of £1,500 means Sport England will match funds giving the club an additional £5,000 to support its activities.

Swimmer Aimee Wilmott, the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion in the 400 metres individual medley, trained at Middlesbrough Amateur Swimming Club and the club currently has more than 100 young amateur swimming hopefuls.

At least 30 of these have progressed from the club’s academy with a view to becoming part of the club’s national squad, which takes swimmers up to the age of 18 to British nationals and regional galas.

Oliver Mack, MASC chair and one of 75 registered volunteers at the club, said: “When Tony got in touch and said the charity would like to help we were so pleased and the support we have had from the public has been amazing.

“A lot of kids don’t realise you can join a swimming club but we have been coaching kids, whether it is their hobby or whether they are more serious, since 1886.”

Oliver added swimmers of all abilities are encouraged and for some it’s about having a hobby that keeps you fit or getting a personal best, while for others it’s about being the next county champion!

“All the swimmers know their own times and ambitions and they motivate themselves towards their own goals,” said Oliver.

“There’s a real mixture in terms of what the kids themselves want to achieve and we support them to reach their potential, whatever that might be.

“We are keen to reach out to more swimmers across all the age ranges and hopefully these funds will allow us to do that.”

We are pleased to welcome Erimus Insurance Brokers as one of our Corporate Supporters, they have become a River Tees Corporate Partner with a pledge of £1,000 per year that will be used to help local families in Teesside.

You can view more information about our Corporate Sponsorships by clicking here.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of handing over our Shining Star award to Dean Moore 🌟
(This photo was taken after a running group, so excuse the flushed look!)

Dean has helped so many families, groups and individuals on Teesside (and further afield) over the years, and he continues to do so, Dean is passionate about helping those in the North Ormesby Community

Earlier this year Dean drove a couple from Scotland who had broken down on the A19, 200 miles to Cambridge to see their mum before she sadly passed a few hours later, without Deans act of kindness they would not have been able to say their last goodbyes.

Dean never wants any recognition for what he does, he always says, “I do it with intention not for attention”

Which really sums Dean up.

Well done Dean, we look forward to meeting you again at our End of year Ball being held at Wynyard Hall on Friday 8th November 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Award-winning food and wine specialists Lewis & Cooper have partnered with a leading Teesside charity to help them raise money for good causes.

The acclaimed Northallerton store is supporting Teesside Family Foundation’s black-tie ball at Wynyard Hall on November 8 with luxury products for prizes and table gifts.

The Foundation hopes to raise thousands of pounds on the night to support adults and children in the Teesside area who have fallen on hard times.

“We are delighted to support such a fantastic cause,” says Lewis & Cooper Sales and Marketing Manager Nicola McIntosh. “The Foundation makes a huge difference to the lives of so many people through its tireless fund-raising campaigns.

“We want to help them spread a little happiness to people who are less fortunate than ourselves.”

The Foundation arranges charity golf days, football matches, entertainment nights, Easter egg drops and Christmas promotions to raise money and is particularly proud of its work in providing disabled children with wheelchairs and mobility needs.

“We are genuinely excited about partnering with such a prestigious company as Lewis & Cooper,” says Foundation Chair of Trustees Michael Poole.

“They are very well regarded for the quality of their stores at Northallerton and Yarm and clearly have a very strong community ethos.”

Picture caption: Michael Poole, Chair of Trustees at Teesside Family Foundation (right), is pictured with Lewis & Cooper Retail Director David Pears.

We would like to announce the ongoing partnership and yet again, the fantastic personal annual donation of £20,000 from Alastair Powell & his family.

Cleveland Cable Company Ltd & The Keys Yarm have continued their fantastic support for the Foundation and we are eternally grateful for their sponsorship of the Holiday Home at Primrose Valley Holiday Park & ongoing donations.

We are proud to have you side by side making a difference in our town, helping our own right here on Teesside.

It is with great pride we announce you as Captain James Cook Charity Partners 2019.

#YouCertainlyDoLookAfterYourOwn

Thank you!