Member Article

Allay finishes charitable year with donation

TECH companies are known for wearing hoodies, but one local firm has decided to donate over 100 of theirs to homeless people this winter.

Newcastle-based Allay has rounded off a year of charitable activity by donating spare clothing to The People’s Kitchen.

As winter arrives and the nights get colder, the company has donated over 100 hoodies to ensure homeless people do not get too cold.

Every month the company donates £10 on behalf of every member of its staff to a charity selected by the employee of the month. After a recent growth spurt the workforce has risen to 120 people at its Newcastle headquarters so this year it has donated nearly £13,000 to different North East charities.

So far this year, employees have also chosen to donate to Stroke North, the North East Autism Society, Dementia Care, West End Refugee Service, Children North East, The JGW Patterson Foundation, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Sunshine Fund.

The People’s Kitchen has been helping the homeless for over 30 years and serves over 40,000 hot meals each year, staffed by over 35,000 volunteer hours. It operates an outreach kitchen outside Generator Studies, where Allay are based, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Peter Samuel, vice chairperson at The People’s Kitchen said: “We at The People’s Kitchen rely entirely on donations for our operations, receiving no local or national grants. Local firms such as Allay are important donors and it is gratifying that support is given to local charities. Our friends (client group) need friendship, food, clothing, showers and social events all year round. Appropriate winter clothing is especially important for survival on the streets. The donation of 100 hoodies from the staff of Allay is most generous and welcome and on behalf of our friends. May I offer you all our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the festive season.”

Steven Bell, managing director of Allay, said: “Being based right next door to one of its outreach kitchens, we see first-hand the great work that The People’s Kitchen does in Newcastle and we’re delighted we are able to help. As winter arrives and the nights get colder the staff suggested we donate clothing to help out – we had 100 hoodies not being worn and thought they’d be a good start.

“Giving to charity is something that is very important to the company and it’s great to be able to help out a local organisation in any way we can.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Allay Claims .