Staff at Darlington’s White Digital are planning to raise £30,000 to donate to three charities over the next 12 months: County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) charity, COCO and Maia Mouse Foundation.
Managing director of the digital marketing agency Douglas Dinwiddie said: “We’ve picked three very different causes, but the organisations’ values really resonate with our team – we can’t wait to host fundraisers throughout the year to support the 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.
“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 Manager Charlie Butlin’s heart.”
The 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 and adventures and set up a foundation in her name to help other families in the same position. Joe, a director at professional services firm Deloitte, said: “The Maia Mouse Foundation is available to all parents of children with life-limiting illnesses to support them financially, whether that’s through paying for equipment or adaptations to their home, or to a trip of a lifetime.
“A company like White Digital reaching out really helps to raise the profile of the charity. 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 to be one of three chosen charities that White Digital will be fundraising for in 2022. We are incredibly grateful for their support.” 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.”
