A NORTH-EAST-based domestic abuse charity has received a major charitable donation from a leading regional software company.

Wearside Women in Need (WWiN) was chosen as one of five recipients of donations from Opencast Software after being nominated by senior consultant Liam Finnon, from Washington. Liam was aware of WWiN’s work as he and his parents volunteered at the charity.

Opencast has recently donated almost £50,000 to charities whose work in local communities has been much needed during the Covid pandemic.

Other charities to benefit include a food bank; a support centre for those in need, including the homeless; an LGBTQ support service and a hygiene bank. The workload for each of the charities has significantly increased since the pandemic began.

Tom Lawson, chief executive at Opencast, explains: “Our mission as a company is to make life better through good team work. ‘Good’ points to our standards of quality, but it is also about ‘purpose’. Our purpose here is to make a real difference to hardworking charities such as WWiN who are operating in difficult circumstances.

“We sincerely hope our donations improve the lives of those who’ve turned to our charities for help, and we’d like to thank the Community Foundation who’ve awarded the donations through our new Opencast Charitable Fund.”

“We had a strong year of growth in 2020 and the company has a responsibility to help those around us who are struggling. We’re headquartered here in the north east and we felt it was important to help regional charities working to improve the lot of local communities and people.”

Becky Rogerson, director of Sunderland-based WWiN, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Opencast Software for acknowledging and supporting survivors of domestic abuse in Sunderland.

“The pandemic has created the ‘perfect storm’ for domestic abuse to escalate and as a service we’re humbled by the response from the community which has enabled us to go the extra mile – supporting more women and children to safety, and helping them re-establish a life free from abuse.

“Opencast’s grant provided vital practical help for us such as removal costs, setting up a new home, transport to a refuge in a crisis. Our thanks from the many women and children who needed a helping hand; an investment in their futures.”

Liam added: “Opencast are so proud to be able to contribute and support charities in the north east during this difficult time. WWiN are doing an amazing job with supporting women and children in the region who are at risk or suffer abuse – and because of the pandemic, they’ve never been busier.

“They also deliver training and awareness of domestic abuse and help survivors with legal protection and accommodation. The charity is close to my heart and I’m delighted we can help at a time when they need it most.”

WWiN’s outreach service is on 0191-565-8877 and its 24-hour helpline is 0800 066 5555. The helpline offers confidential, non-judgemental support and information to anyone experiencing domestic abuse, as well as friends and families.

WWiN’s office can be called on 0191-416-3550, Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.

For more details or to offer support via a financial donation visit www.wwin.org.uk.

Opencast, based in Newcastle, specialises in building and running enterprise IT systems for the government, key public bodies and global financial services. Clients include JP Morgan Chase and Co, Sage, NHS Business Services Authority, HMRC, DWP and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.