Member Article

Digital firm sets £30,000 target for triple charity challenge

A North East web developer and digital marketing agency is planning to raise thousands for charity with a series of special events.

Staff at White Digital, which is based on Darlington’s Grange Road, are pledging to donate to three charities over the next 12 months: County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) charity, COCO and Maia Mouse Foundation.

The money will be raised through a series of special fundraising events, with the White Digital team aiming to collect at least £30,000 for the good causes.

Managing director Douglas Dinwiddie said: “We’ve picked three very different causes, but the organisations’ amazing work and values really resonate with our entire team - we can’t wait to host a variety of fundraisers throughout the year to support these awesome charities.

“CDDFT charity, for which we’ll be participating in an ‘It’s A Knock-Out’ competition, is focused very much on our local hospital and community teams, helping to provide medical equipment, services or training that would not be available to the NHS other than through charitable funding.

“I’m going to be trekking Machu Pichu to raise money for COCO, which provides sustainable sources of quality education to children living in poor and marginalised communities.

“It’s going to be an epic journey, which follows the uncrowded Ancascocha trail, surrounded by the spectacular Andes mountains, raging rivers and remote mountain communities, to the site of ancient Inca ruins in Peru. Although it sounds like a bit of a holiday it will be a challenge – the journey will see us trekking for seven to eight hours every day for four days, and we’ll be 4600m above sea level!

“Lastly, we’re also going to be hosting a charity golf day for the Maia Mouse Foundation, which raises money to provide equipment and experiences for children with life-limiting illnesses, a cause very close to our commercial director Charlie Butlin’s heart.”

The Maia Mouse Foundation was set up by Charlie’s sister-in-law, Gemma Baum and her husband Joe, after their daughter Maia was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer at just six months old.

Between her diagnosis and her death at 11 months, Gemma and Joe filled Maia’s life with trips, experiences and adventures, and set up a foundation in her name to help other families in the same position do the same.

Joe, a director at professional services firm Deloitte, said: “Sadly, too many families will find themselves in our shoes, and potentially without access to the same support we had – for instance, I was able to take six months off work to spend with Maia.

“The Maia Mouse Foundation is available to all parents of children with life-limiting illnesses to support them finically, whether that’s through paying necessary equipment or adaptations to their home, or to enable their children to have a trip of a lifetime.

“I’m originally from Barnard Castle, so a company like White Digital reaching out really helps to raise the profile of the charity in a region that is close to our hearts. All the support the team have given us is amazing and has allowed the charity to build, grow and flourish.”

Freya Clark, fundraising officer at COCO, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that COCO is one of three chosen charities that White Digital will be fundraising for in 2022. We are incredibly grateful for their support, and the news definitely got our 2022 off to a good start!”

Pat Chambers, charity development manager at CDDFT, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that White Digital have chosen us as one of their charities for 2022. Their support is fabulous news and will help so many patients.”

To donate to any of the above events, visit www.gofundme.com/f/maia-charity-golf-day, www.gofundme.com/f/nhs-white-digital or www.gofundme.com/f/dougs-trek-to-machu-picchu.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by White Digital .