Member Article

Companies call-up to help builders of tomorrow

Children North East, the charity that runs the region’s biggest Sandcastle Challenge, is appealing to the local business community to dig in and help youngsters hone their creations for this year’s theme – Build a Better World.

More than 1,800 children from 50 primary and middle schools are set to build their best environmental ideas in sand when the charity holds its 25th annual Sandcastle Challenge on July 5.

The mass participation event, sponsored by construction company, Galliford Try Partnerships North, on Sandhaven Beach in South Shields has become a much-loved fixture on school and business calendars alike and last year saw a total of 43 schools working with a range of employers – from architects and construction companies to banks and law practices.

Carol Taylor, Senior Fundraiser for Children North East, said businesses really enjoy being part of the Challenge and many return year after year. “It’s a fantastic event to be a part of that is an ideal team building exercise but is also an ideal opportunity to forge community links and tick those all-important corporate social responsibility boxes.

“But above all it’s a lot of fun – we match companies to a team then they have the chance to visit their partner school prior to the event and help them work up ideas and designs before meeting up on the beach for the Challenge.”

Prizes are awarded to the five most interesting designs and each of those schools takes home a £200 prize thanks to the sponsor.

The businesses themselves compete for the much coveted Sandcastle Trophy – won last year by Tesco Bank – awarded at the charity’s annual Sandcastle Ball in September, sponsored by construction giant, Robertson Construction England, to the company that’s worked best with their partner school.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by pauline holt .