CHARITY officials didn't have to be told to say "cheese" to put a smile on their faces for the camera after they were suprised with a share of £105,000.

Gateshead-based Primula Cheese, which donates all its profits to good causes in the UK and around the world via the Kavli Trust, offers its employees the chance to nominate causes close to their hearts to receive a surprise donation.

Of Primula’s profits, 70 per cent supports local causes and the rest goes towards international community projects.

The Kavli Trust donated £7.8 million to various causes around the world last year alone including humanitarian work, research and culture.

Earlier this month, three chosen charities sent representatives to Primula's base believing they were going to present their case for funding.

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However, representatives from Changing Lives, Bede Community Primary School and St Aiden’s Cottage were surprised with a fantastic six-figure donation.

Changing Lives, a regional charity dedicated to helping people who have experienced hardships such as homelessness, sexual exploitation, poverty and much more to rebuild their lives received a donation of £65,000.

The money donated will support the charity to facilitate a range of services and the equipment needed, including exercise equipment, mindfulness and therapeutic activities, arts and crafts groups, and client welfare.

At Bede Community Primary School, Gateshead, the importance and love of learning are at the core. The £35,000 donation will be used to create a sensory room access to learning for children with special educational needs and barriers to learning.

St Aiden’s Cottage, Durham, provides high-quality specialist support services for adults with neurological, learning and physical disabilities. The care home will use the £5,000 from Primula to create a memorial garden to allow service users to be meet with their families and provide a safe space to remember loved ones who have passed away.

Helen Aitchison, of Changing Lives, said: “We are overjoyed to receive such a fantastic donation from Primula Cheese.

“When we arrived today, alongside the other two beneficiaries, we did not expect a donation of £65,000 to be coming our way. This money will allow us to continue to provide thousands of meals to vulnerable people and families across the North East. We are incredibly grateful for the donation and cannot thank Primula Cheese enough.”

James Annan, warehouse manager and sc-chair of Primula’s charity committee, said: “At Primula, sharing is at the heart of everything we do. That is why we donate all our profits to causes. We are delighted to surprise three brilliant local beneficiaries with donations totalling £105,000.

“Changing Lives, Bede Community School and St Aiden’s Cottage are three local causes very close to our hearts here in Gateshead. We look forward to seeing the money donated go towards supporting our community and improving lives here in the North-East."

 

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