Adderstone Foundation is passionate about making a difference in the community in which we are based and to benefit communities further afield.
Over the years of collaborating on a mix of community projects, the Foundation has built significant links and support networks with other charities and community groups.
Padraig Hallissey’s story
Adderstone Foundation connected with The Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust to help former rugby player and stroke victim Padraig Hallissey.
Padraig suffered a blow in 2015 whilst playing Rugby in Ireland, which resulted in him having a stroke.
His speech suffered badly and it was paramount that he attended a specialist speech therapy course in Newcastle, due to its dedicated adult speech therapy department.
The Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust is based in Dublin; it supports severely injured rugby players in their everyday lives and helps to restore their confidence and independence. They helped Padraig and made a connection with Adderstone Foundation.
Adderstone Foundation made it possible for Padraig to complete his specialist speech therapy course, by housing him and Sarah for eight weeks in one of Adderstone Group’s properties.
The Chairman of IRFU Charitable trust, John Callaghan, explained: “Our trust supports 33 players who have suffered injury on the field of play, requiring our backing for the rest of their lives.”
“Padraig will now be able to follow his trade as a joiner after receiving specialist speech therapy in Newcastle.
“Adderstone Foundation’s response to our plea was quite simply wonderful. It is all so remarkably heartwarming.”
Padraig has now returned to Ireland with not only improved speech, but added confidence to get back his life before the stroke he suffered.
Making Dreams Come True with Corporate Sponsorship with Stratus Flying
Pilot James Moon established charity Stratus Flying to provide flight experiences for terminally ill and disadvantaged people, set up with the sole aim of making a difference through the power of flight.
Based at the Northumbria Flying School in the grounds of Newcastle Airport, Adderstone Foundation supported Stratus Flying through corporate sponsorship.
Thanks to a kind donation from Adderstone Foundation, it was possible for 14-year-old Danny Duffy to have a flight experience for his birthday.
James Moon said: “It hasn’t been easy to grow the charity – at first we had collection tins outside shops and supermarkets – but we’ve made steady progress and we’re generally seeing an increase in the number of flights we do each month.
“I’m delighted to be doing something I love and at the same time providing something that will bring joy to others less fortunate. Many of the people who go on the flight experience say they feel a sense of freedom and they never thought that this activity would have
Proud sponsors of the Seb4CHUF campaign in support of children’s heart unit
Seb4CHUF was set up by parents Nadine and Ivan Hollingsworth to raise money for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The campaign was set up in recognition of the support the charity gave to their son Seb who had to undergo emergency heart suregery at just 16 weekd old due to a complex heart condition.
Since Seb’s operation Ivan and Nadine have vowed to keep fundraising to ensure the continuation of the lifesaving work of the medics and support teams at the Freeman Hospital’s heart unit. Ivan has undergone several physical feats to raise funds, including skiing down a mountain in a mankini, running 100 miles in less than 24 hours as well as countless marathons and half marathon events.
We sponsored their annual Coast to Coast challenge where the team decided to double the task by cycling from East to West and running back again – a total of 280 miles!
The event took place over seven days, Ivan’s childhood friend and TV presenter, Ben Shephard joining the team of eight fundraisers. Ivan’s son, Seb also joined the dedicated athletes as he was driven along the route in a specialist support car, provided by Richard Hardie Motors and sponsored by Adderstone Foundation.
Adderstone Foundation sponsors historic tennis tournament
Adderstone Foundation has a long-established connection with The Northumberland Club, premier tennis, squash and badminton club in Jesmond, Newcastle. We sponsored the 119th Northumberland Open Tennis Tournament, which saw 420 competitors, guests, sponsors and tournament staff joined together once again in celebration, and £4,100 raised by Adderstone Foundation in support of the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club.
Visually impaired tennis features sound balls, extra bounces and smaller courts and has regular participants and players who travel the country playing in tournaments. Tennis sessions for visually impaired tennis players take place on a regular basis at The Northumberland Club for both adults and children and the classes enable participants to build on basic coordination and social skills as well as confidence and fitness.
Gym equipment donation
Adderstone Foundation’s is helping children and young athletes at Dunston Boxing Club and has quickly become an essential part of their fitness and training regime.
Michael Smith, a coach at Dunston Boxing Club for the last 2 years said: “I would like to thank the Adderstone Foundation for their generous donation. The club relies on donations just like this from local businesses and this will go a long way to enabling us to continue working with the kids.
“Boxing training for children can help them excel in physical fitness, balance and coordination as well as mental wellbeing and motivation. It’s been great seeing the children grow from strength to strength and build up their skills and confidence.”
