Maxi’s Mates Cuts Bills With Rural Fund Support As Scheme Launched For Another Year

A charity which has saved and rehomed hundreds of dogs across our region has seen grant support help them cut bills with new solar panels.

Maxi’s Mates Rescue and Rehoming Centre, near Guisborough, gives stray and abandoned dogs from across Teesside and the North-East a safe place to stay, heal, and find a new loving home.

The charity received a lifeline £15,000 grant via the Combined Authority which has seen solar panels reduce the burden and cost faced from energy bills.

Founder and trustee Jane Galliford helped set up Maxi’s Mates in 2012 after rescuing stray Mastiff cross, Maxi, from the A66, in Middlesbrough.

The Dunsdale base for Maxi’s Mates has expanded recently – and the charity was seeking help to cope with rising costs.

Jane said: “We have a really hefty energy bill here – it’s gone up threefold because we’ve just changed contractors. Our bills are about £30,000 per year.

“The solar panels will really help – they’ve been a Godsend really.”

Maxi’s Mates’ five-figure grant came from the Rural England Prosperity Fund – which has opened for a third round of bids from today (31 July) with more than £180,000 available.

The Rural Fund is designed to give a boost to small businesses and community groups to improve their productivity, support local jobs, and strengthen rural life.

The money can only be used for capital projects – such as buildings, equipment, or infrastructure – not running costs.

And it’s designed to tackle some of the everyday challenges rural areas face, including increasing productivity, coping with poor transport and digital connections and reduced access to essential services.

The fund is backed with money from the Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is open to rural businesses and community groups which boost the Redcar and Cleveland area.

After receiving help, Jane said the process to get the grant was straightforward.

“It was all done so easily,” she added.

“They gave us a £15,000 grant and fitted it all for us.

“We have applied for some grants over the years and have to jump through hoops for them.

“But this was really straightforward.”

No fewer than 54 projects were supported between April 2024 and March 2025 – including 39 local businesses and 15 community groups benefitting from grants up to £15,000.

They included D.I.Y tools for renovation projects, heat and electrical installations, plumbing, modernised till systems, catering equipment and machinery including hydraulic presses and sawmills.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Maxi’s Mates do incredible work supporting and rehoming dogs across Teesside – and I’m proud we’ve been able to help them cut costs with solar panels and make their centre more sustainable.

“We’re backing our businesses and vital community groups – helping them grow, create jobs and provide services people care about.

“That’s why we’ve opened this scheme up for another year – and I’d encourage more people to get their bids in and see how we can back them.”

Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member, added: “Charities like Maxi’s Mates are the beating heart of our communities, and I know our Council works closely with them. They support those who don’t have a voice, and offer a vital lifeline to canines across the whole North East.

“Backing our rural businesses is vital.

“We’re proud to support them through this funding – and proud to see the difference the fund is making on the ground right across our borough.”

When it came to the charity, Jane said it had been a tough year for Maxi’s Mates – with more dogs being abandoned across the region.

She urged people to donate or help in any way they could.

Jane said: “There’s always a way to help us, even if you can’t get to our kennels, you can spread the word about the dogs looking for adoption.

“You can come and help us at our fundraising events, but the best thing of all is if you can’t own a dog, if you have any spare time, it’s a good way to come up and be with a dog and just provide some socialisation for them.

“We walk every day, at 9am and 1pm and it’s a good way to come up and meet people – you can make friends with like-minded people.”

To find out more on supporting Maxi’s Mates, go to: Home | Maxi’s Mates Rescue & Rehoming Centre

To find out more about the Rural Fund and apply, go to: UKSPF Rural England Prosperity Fund – Round 3 – Business