Hastings Direct announce 2016 charity partners

General Insurance Provider Hastings Direct has announced the charities that will benefit from the company's fundraising efforts throughout 2016.

Selecting different charity partners each year, 2016's beneficiaries have been confirmed as St Nicholas Hospice Care and Fordham Pre-School in Newmarket, The Bridge and Dorothy Goodman School in Leicester and Glyne Gap School, Homecall, Beachy Head Chaplaincy and Care for the Carers in Bexhill. Across the year, Hastings will host and take part in many fundraising events and activities with monies raised being distributed amongst the charity partners.

Helping to give back to the local community, Hastings employees also donate their time in practical ways with each colleague having the opportunity to give one working day to charity. Previously colleagues have dug gardens, decorated community halls and delivered Christmas presents to those in need.

Jay Wootten, Hastings Community Liaison Officer commented; "We are delighted to announce that we will be working with these charities in 2016. We are now planning our internal fundraising events which will provide financial donations to them all."

Claire Butler, Major Gifts Manager, St Nicholas Hospice Care said; "We are delighted that Hastings Direct have chosen us to be one of their charity partners. Our highly trained and dedicated staff and volunteers support people and families in their own homes, in care homes or wherever they feel safe, to make living with dying better. Our care is given free to all patients and their families, and to deliver this we need to raise £11,000 a day. Without the support of our local community, we would not be able to provide the care we do for those who need it most. We are so grateful to Hastings Direct for their support and we look forward to working with them in 2016."

Fiona Docwra, Manager, Fordham Pre-School said; "We are delighted to be chosen as one of Hastings Direct's charity partners for 2016. Fordham PreSchool particularly need alterations and refurbishments in the 'quiet room' to create an environment where children can learn more effectively in small groups away from the large, noisy classroom area. The fundraising will also help us to purchase new, comfortable seating, beanbags, child table and chairs and upholstered seating."

Stephen Owen, Chairman, The Bridge, said; "We are thrilled to be selected as one of Hasting Direct's Charity Partners for 2016. Since 2009, The Bridge has provided over 100,000 meals for homeless and marginalised people in Leicester. But we need to do much more. The money, time and expertise of the staff of Hastings Direct will help us to continue this crucial work, to set up a project for females with multiple addictions, and to take some of our guests on trips out of the city."

Liam Deacy, Fundraising Manager, Dorothy Goodman School said; "We are honoured to have been chosen as one of Hastings Direct's charity partners in Leicester. We are extremely proud of what our young people are achieving and for this to be recognised is a testament to their hard work. Everyone at Dorothy Goodman is looking forward to working in partnership with Hastings to help young people with learning disabilities thrive in their education and beyond. The partnership will help us to fulfil some of the projects set out in our #IAIM Campaign, which is helping to raise the aspirations of young people with learning disabilities at Dorothy Goodman."

Kirsty Prawanna, Headteacher, Glyne Gap School, said; "We are delighted to have been selected as one of Hastings Direct's charity partners for 2016. Our fundraising goal this year is to raise enough money to create a much needed new school playground for our pupils. All our pupils will benefit greatly from this resource and with the help of staff from Hastings Direct, we are one step closer to making this happen."

Leah Norman, Homecall Scheme Manager said; "Being one of Hastings Direct's charity partners for 2016 is an amazing opportunity for Homecall. We are hoping to give our office, storage facilities and advertising material a much needed update which will further aid fundraising activity. We're also looking forward to being able to reward our clients, volunteers and supporters with a much needed celebration event. The aim of our ongoing fundraising is to be able to continue to offer our service to as many visually impaired clients in the Bexhill area for many years to come."

Jennifer Twist, CEO, Care for the Carers said, "We're thrilled to have been chosen as one of Hastings Direct's charity partners this year. We're really looking forward to working with one of the largest employers in the area, not only to help them to recognise and support unpaid carers within their own organisation, but to raise awareness of carers and the amazing contribution they make to communities across East Sussex."

The Beachy Head Chaplaincy team said; "We are thrilled to be chosen as one of Hastings Direct's charity partners 2016. Relying predominantly on the generosity of the general public, the charity, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, use any donated funds to supply chaplains with uniforms, the supply and running cost of vehicles, search and rescue equipment and all administrative costs. We look forward to fundraising with Hastings Direct and further supporting our dedicated team over the coming year."