Together 21, a project supported by the Pioneering Care Partnership and based in Newton Aycliffe, has welcomed a donation from the town’s Hays Travel store.
The local branch of the Sunderland-based travel agent has been fundraising for the children’s project, which provides vital support to children with Down syndrome and their families.
And boosted by match-funding, Hays’ staff fundraising of £930.99 was doubled to £1,861.99 by the Hays Travel Foundation.
The holiday firm’s foundation was created in 2015, specifically to help young people by supporting projects that assist them to reach their full potential.
As well as branches fundraising in the communities they serve, charities who meet the criteria may also apply for grants from the Foundation and branches can put forward their fundraising efforts and request that the Foundation matches the amount they raised.
Together 21, a parent led project supported by local charity the Pioneering Care Partnership and based at the Pioneering Care Centre, offers learning, fun and friendship to children with Down syndrome and their families from across the North East.
It provides access to a comprehensive programme of tailored learning and life skills for children from birth to 18-years-old, helping them to acquire the essential skills that will equip them to meet the future with confidence.
The service provides access to communication and Makaton signing, speech and language, numeracy, fine and gross motor skills as well as behaviour and social skills.
Andrea Peat, from Hays Travel’s Aycliffe store, said: “We’re committed to making a difference to the lives of people in our local community and are thrilled that the Hays Travel Foundation have match-funded our efforts.
“Hays Travel is a proud member of the communities that it operates in. The smiling faces that welcome you in each of our branches we hope are more than just travel agents, striving to give back and be community champions committed to making a difference in people’s lives.
“Each branch has a yearly budget that they can use to participate in or organise any fundraising activities for charities, projects or individuals they wish to support and we are very proud to have the opportunity to support Together 21”
Diane Goodwin, Together 21 project leader, said: “The continuing generosity and support of Hays Travel Newton Aycliffe is very important to all of us here at Together 21 and the Pioneering Care Partnership.
“We feel it is very important for our community based project, especially as it serves families from throughout the North East, to work closely with local businesses to both raise awareness of the need for such a project and to raise vital funds.
“These funds are crucial to ensure the continuation of our essential work which allows our children to take advantage of every opportunity that early intervention can provide.”