Hastings Direct and its staff donated £50,000 of financial, physical, charity and community support in 2013 including its lead sponsorship of the Bexhill Carnival — one of the county's biggest local events.
The company's A Helping Hand programme offers financial, physical and local support to local charities and good causes and the programme has now been extended in 2014, so it can help even more good causes.
Staff from Hastings Direct supported over a dozen charities last year as well as the company's official charity partner — Friary Gardeners. In addition to digging fields and planting, staff also offered their services in painting and decorating, training, IT, public relations and graphic design across the county to a range of organisations from Little Bud Farm to Young Pioneers.
As one of the largest employers in East Sussex, Hastings Direct is also committed to supporting local schools and colleges in the area and was named Best Large Business for its work with local education providers at the Own Grown Awards 2013. This year, the company plans to extend its programme offering business mentoring, advice and support as well as running interactive workshops on employability skills to students at local schools and colleges.
Jay Wootten, community liaison, Hastings Direct: "We are looking forward to being even more involved with our local community this year. A Helping Hand programme is now open for new nominations, so if you are a local charity or good cause which needs some extra support please email your request in atjaywootten@hastingsdirect.com."