Member Article

Henderson Insurance Brokers helps charity secure finance from national fund

Henderson Insurance Brokers has helped a much-loved Tees Valley charity secure a slice of a national £100,000 fund.

The company, based at Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton, which has been a loyal supporter of Daisy Chain for several years, made a nomination to Aviva’s Community Fund.

Henderson’s ringing endorsement of Daisy Chain, which is based at Norton, has led to it being awarded £2,000.

Emma Simkins, a Director of Henderson Insurance Brokers, was among 34 broker finalists invited to London by Aviva to celebrate the awards made by the Fund this year.

The charity award day was hosted by Will Greenwood, Rugby World Cup Winner and Community Fund Ambassador, who was joined on stage by Phil Bayles and Maurice Tulloch from Aviva, to award the brokers and their charity guests a share of the £100,000 prize fund.

Daisy Chain, which supports 120 children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome from across the Tees Valley, was honoured under the ‘Helping with Health and Disability Needs for Children’ category.

Emma Simkins said: “Daisy Chain is a fantastic local cause and one we have been proud to support for many years with fundraising activities including staff being involved in events such as the Great North Run, Dress Down Days, Boxing Day Dips, abseils, Cup Cake Days, raffles and selling Christmas decorations.

“We are very passionate about Daisy Chain and are thrilled that our submission to Aviva’s Community Fund has proved fruitful for the charity and that the judges agreed with us what a difference this wonderful organisation makes to people’s lives.”

Judith Haysmore, Chief Executive of Daisy Chain, which describes itself as a ‘haven for families affected by autism’, said: “We are very grateful to Henderson Insurance Brokers for facilitating this significant donation that will help us sustain our work.

“Daisy Chain’s success is down to the support and goodwill of our local community, including big-hearted firms like Henderson Insurance Brokers.”

Daisy Chain supports a total of 839 families and seeks to improve the life chances of children and young people with autism.

The charity’s main base is at Calf Fallow Farm in Norton, which houses a sensory soft play area, IT suite, an area for arts and crafts and conference facilities.

Established in 2003 by the late Lesley Hanson, whose dream was to create a haven for children with autism or learning disabilities and their families, its work includes offering alternative education provision and activities, including volunteering for children and young people.

Daisy Chain also runs a number of school holiday activities and evening/weekend activities and provides respite support to allow parents and carers to do household chores, spend time with other members of the family or experience a little ‘me time’.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .