Maxi’s Mates

Maxi’s Mates Rescue & Rehoming Centre is a charity based near Guisborough, supporting Teesside and the wider North-East by rescuing stray and abandoned dogs, providing care, rehabilitation and rehoming. Founded in 2012, the organisation has grown steadily, expanding its facilities and building a strong reputation for dedicated animal welfare work.

The Challenge

Rising energy costs have placed increasing strain on the charity’s resources. Annual bills reached around £30,000 after a change of contractor meant costs effectively increased three-fold. For an organisation reliant on donations and grant funding, this created serious financial pressures and risked diverting vital funds away from its core mission of canine care and rehoming.

The Solution

To address this challenge, Maxi’s Mates applied to the Rural England Prosperity Fund, which is administered locally by the Tees Valley Combined Authority. The charity secured a £15,000 grant which was invested in the installation of solar panels at its site. The fund is designed for capital projects, making it an ideal fit for infrastructure improvements that reduce ongoing costs. The straightforward application process allowed the project to progress smoothly from planning to delivery.

The Impact and Benefits

The solar panels have helped cut energy bills, providing a long-term solution that makes the charity more financially sustainable. By lowering running costs, more of Maxi’s Mates’ resources can be directed towards frontline animal welfare services, ensuring the organisation can continue to operate at scale despite challenging economic conditions.

The Future

The experience of Maxi’s Mates shows how targeted capital funding from a fund such as this can enable charities and community organisations to invest in practical solutions that reduce overheads and safeguard their future. By focusing on infrastructure improvements such as renewable energy, organisations can not only cut costs but also operate more sustainably, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.

The Redcar & Cleveland Rural Fund is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.