Traffic technology specialists SWARCO Traffic have announced the latest recipients of its SWARCO Traffic Ltd Business Fund. Launched in 2020, the initiative was created to support local businesses and charitable organisations experiencing financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SWARCO has selected two charities – Food for Thought Darlington and Shelter – who each receive a donation of £2,500.
Food for Thought Darlington, under 10 miles away from SWARCO’s head office in Melsonby, is a registered Community Interest Company working to tackle the issues of food waste and food poverty in the Darlington area, working with supermarkets and other local business to re-distribute surplus food and supplies to those in need. As well as providing local people and families with food and supermarket vouchers, they have also provided community bicycles for those who have no other means of transport.
Shelter is one of the UK’s biggest charities fighting the issue of homelessness and the devastating impact of the ongoing housing emergency. Every year, Shelter provides support, information and advice to millions of people whose lives have been blighted by the loss of their home or those experiencing inadequate housing or the threat of eviction.
John Pickworth, Managing Director of SWARCO Traffic, says he hopes the donations make an impact: “We created this fund to help support local businesses and organisations, as well as charities who make a difference to society. The issues of hunger and homelessness and only been exacerbated further by the pandemic, so we hope these donations can help these two important causes to continue their amazing work.”
Additionally, SWARCO has also donated £1,000 to four sports clubs and organisations – Team Caterpillar running club, a community running club based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, home to SWARCO Traffic’s head office. Flitwick Dolphins Swimming Club, situated approximately 15 miles from SWARCO’s operations hub in Milton Keynes, offer swimmers the opportunity to participate in competitive swimming events at all levels and for all ages. Catterick Garrison FC Wildcats, a non-competitive football club for girls between ages five and 11, created for girls interested in trying the sport for the first time, but most importantly having fun and making friends. And Bakewell Town under 12s futsal team who currently compete in the Chesterfield Futsal league – who each receive a donation of £250.
“This year, we have also selected these four sports clubs based on their work for their communities,” John continues. “Each of these organisations are doing a great job in encouraging local people and members to grow and to be active and healthy, for both their physical and mental wellbeing, something that has been so vitally important over the past year or so.”
(Picture – SWARCO)
