North East business life: award, community and charity events of the week

Jacksons Law Firm scooped the law firm of the year award at the Northern Law Awards. Managing partner Tony Wentworth praised the whole team’s efforts following the firm’s double win on the night, collected the main trophy as well as the law practice management award. The company, which has offices on Teesside and in Newcastle, was shortlisted in three categories, including team of the year for the litigation and dispute resolution team.

Mr Wentworth said: “There may be only 10 of us on the stage to collect this award, but there are 89 other people contributing in equal measure to this award. I’d like to thank all our team members for their hard work to get us here.”

Hays Travel apprentices were welcomed on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’s cruise ship Balmoral when it was docked at the Port of Tyne this week to celebrate the end of their programmes. A total of 30 apprentices were invited to the event, including 14 from the firm’s head office who have completed their Level 2 customer service practitioner apprenticeship. An additional 30 from the summer 2023 cohort are due to finish their apprenticeships by the end of this year.

As well as touring the ship’s cabins, restaurants and entertainment areas, the apprentices had treats and refreshments on their trip around the ship before a sit-down lunch. They were also presented with certificates for their achievements.

Mathew Foxcroft, fields sales manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “It was great to be able to give them a tour of our smaller-sized ship and really show them what makes Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines different from other cruise operators. We wish them the best of luck as they now take up their new roles.”

Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Hays Travel chief operating officer, said: “What a perfect way to celebrate our newly qualified head office apprentices! We put a call out to ask our friends at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines if such an on-board event were possible and they came back in moments to say they would be delighted to host.”

Businesses came together to show their support for Northern Pride at a partners breakfast hosted at Blackfriars in Newcastle. Pride in the City will start with satellite events from today, leading up to the main festival which will take place from July 19 to 21, with celebrations and events including the main stage at Central Park.

Nexus, which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro, announced a limited edition ‘Pride Pop Pays As You Go Card’ and free Pride shuttle bus service to support with travel around the city during pride weekend. The Pride Pop Card was designed by local multidisciplinary creative designer and visual communicator, Em T Sharp, who was inspired by LGBTQIA+ icons.

Attending the breakfast event were representatives from companies which have supported Northern Pride for a number of years, including partners Newcastle NE1, Curious Arts, Newcastle International Airport, Newcastle City Council, NewcastleGateshead Initiative and BT Group and Morgan Sindall and new Pride patrons, including Eldon Square, Sky, Sage, IKEA, Ward Hadaway, Generator NE, Geordie Witch and The Theatre Royal. Train operator Lumo also attended to launch The Lumo Platform, a performance stage which will be in place at Greys Monument and will feature live entertainment during Saturday’s main day.

Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, said: “We couldn’t do any of this without the wonderful partners we have here in the North East and further afield, who not only help us to put on a fantastic event for our vibrant and beautiful queer community, but for their insight, time and guidance into what will make an exciting, accessible and safe event in the city.”

More than £48,000 was raised for Military vs Cancer during the charity’s Armed Forces rugby event at Kingston Park last month. The home of Newcastle Falcons welcomed more than 2,500 people for two matches between the UK Armed Forces and select XV North of England teams, which represented a first fixture for the North’s women’s team. The UK Armed Forces team won 90-15 after the women’s side had notched a 38-15 triumph.

Military vs Cancer’s CEO and founder, David Bathgate, said: “We always hoped that our return to Kingston Park would be bigger and better than our inaugural event in 2023 and we have been absolutely blown away by the whole support. The people of Newcastle have been such a big support for our event and it was great to see such a great representation from military personnel and their families at the weekend.”

Military vs Cancer became a registered charity in May 2022 but was founded several years earlier by Mr Bathgate after losing several family members to cancer. The charity brings together all three military services, businesses and people in industry to help support those who are battling with cancer, aiming to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest.

Matt Thompson, chairman of rugby at Newcastle Falcons, added: “The day was not just about the competition on the field, it was also a great opportunity to bring people together to help make a difference.”

The Empire School of Boxing in Blyth has completed a refurbishment project on the back of a Banks Group donation. The club provides boxing and fitness coaching at its Cowpen Road premises, and currently has around 20 senior boxers competing at events both around the UK and overseas.

With more people using the gym, the club had been looking at ways to improve its bathroom facilities and had begun its own £15,000 fundraising campaign. A £3,000 contribution from Blyth Town Council was added to the club’s own project funds, and a £5,000 grant from North East property, energy and mining firm the Banks Group has helped it past its target.

Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, adds: “Les and Margaret’s long-term commitment to providing the best possible facilities for all the users of their gym and the passion they retain for the work they do is absolutely inspirational.”