Calendar Launched To Benefit Tees Valley Charity Helping Vulnerable People

A charity calendar has been launched by the Tees Valley Mayor at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium to raise cash for some of the region’s most at-risk people.

The Enjoy Tees Valley calendar features inspirational pictures of the region’s much-loved landmarks and events, including Darlington’s South Park, the HMS Trincomalee, Take That concert in Middlesbrough, Saltburn Pier and Stockton International Riverside Festival.

At least £4 in every £5 sale will be donated to charity partner A Way Out, an organisation which delivers services aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable women, families and young people. It is hoped the calendar will raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

The launch begins the first major fundraising drive by the Mayor and Combined Authority since A Way Out, based in Stockton-on-Tees, was adopted as a charity partner for the forthcoming year.

Its vision is to engage, empower and equip the most vulnerable in our society and help them to live lives, free from harm, abuse and exploitation.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “A Way Out does fantastic work to help women and families facing hardship across the Tees Valley and I’m delighted that this calendar will help to continue to raise funds for it and promote its great work to support local people.

“As well as creating opportunities for local people, and ensuring everyone has access to them, we’re all about showing what a fantastic region we live in. This calendar highlights some of the great views and many events which will take place across its five boroughs in 2020.”

Sarah McManus, Chief Executive of A Way Out, said: “The calendar showcases what is great about this region in terms of local landmarks but it also helps to reflect one of our greatest strengths, which is the people. The money raised from the sale of the calendar will help us to reach out and support some of the most vulnerable in our community. People and place are what we are passionate about and believe in and the calendar sales will help us to support both.

“A big thank you to the Ben and the Combined Authority for producing this, to Middlesbrough Football Club and others for helping to sell it and to the people across Tees Valley who purchase it, your support is amazing and does make a difference.”

Hays Travel has provided a £100 voucher as part of a competition for those buying the calendar online at www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/2020-calendar

The calendar will also be sold at Teesside International Airport, Middlesbrough Football Club, Tees Barrage, the Combined Authority offices in Stockton, local council offices and other locations across the region.

Lee Fryett, Head of Commercial at Middlesbrough Football Club, said: “We’re delighted to be helping launch and stock this calendar, with all profits going to a hugely well-deserving charity working to improve lives across the region. Our area has seen a year of fantastic events and there are even more to come in 2020 highlighted in this great looking calendar, not least The Killers at Riverside Stadium.”

Local suppliers, including printer AlphaGraphics and web design agency Hush Digital, have helped to produce the calendar and facilitate sales.