2016 marked the 18th consecutive year Jennings Motor Group has supported The Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal.
The celebration got underway with a gift donation to the charity’s annual appeal.
It all began in 1998 when Jennings solely operated Ford dealerships and the company forged a partnership with The Salvation Army by agreeing to use its branch network as drop off and collection points for gift donations for the charity’s annual Christmas Present Appeal.
The campaign, in its 37th year, was set up with the aim of providing gifts to the most vulnerable people in the region who would not normally receive a gift on Christmas Day.
Over the years, as the Jennings’ business has grown and developed with the launch of new dealerships, additional marques and new business ventures, demand for The Salvation Army to support more people in the community at Christmas time, has also increased.
Operating more than 40 corps (churches) and community projects across the North East, puts The Salvation Army in a unique position in understanding where the community needs vital support.
Major Mark Dooley (Gateshead Salvation Army church leader) said: “Families can find themselves in tough financial situations and that can be very difficult at Christmas, struggling to make ends meet but wanting to take part in celebrations.
“As a Christian church and charity, we’re inspired by the hope that comes from the Christmas story and feel that by providing a small gift for families in need we can share that hope and remind people, as they face those difficult circumstances, that they are valued and cared for.
“We’re so grateful to people who have donated a brand new toy for a child and for the great support of Jennings Motor Group who have been busy collecting to support us.”
To mark the 2016 appeal, Jennings Motor Group’s managing director, Nas Khan, presented gifts to Major Mark Dooley from The Salvation Army, at the company’s Ford dealership at Eslington Park in Gateshead.
Nas said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to support The Salvation Army with another appeal and to be celebrating 18 years of support is fantastic.
“They do an amazing job supporting people within the community, not just at Christmas time, but all year round.
“Christmas time, however, is the most difficult and challenging time as they have thousands of people they need to assist in order to make their Christmas extra special.”
As in previous years, staff, customers and members of the public showed their support by donating a variety of gifts, including toys for children and gifts for teenagers, gifts for the elderly, non-perishable food items and confectionery items.
Nas added: “We always get a good response from staff, customers and members of the public who want to do their bit by helping the most vulnerable in society.”
As a company committed to supporting charities and the local community, 2016 also saw Jennings Motor Group supporting The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), after nominating the charity at the beginning of the year and pledging to raise as much money as possible over a 12-month period.
The charity provides air ambulance services across the North of England, including the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
As well as staff taking part in a variety of fundraising activities at individual dealerships, the motor dealer group also donated a brand new Kia Rio for the charity’s annual car raffle.
The car raffle was a phenomenal success and raised in excess of £100,000 for the charity.
Jennings Motor Group operates Ford dealerships based at Gateshead, Stockton and Middlesbrough, two Kia dealerships at Stockton and Washington, a Mazda, SEAT and Mitsubishi dealership also in Middlesbrough, in addition to two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Gateshead and Leeds, as well as a SUBWAY® store in Stockton.