Go North East team to celebrate over £10,000 raised for local charities and other worthy causes at Thursday’s clap

Team members from across the region’s largest bus company, Go North East, have united and raised over £10,000 for local charities and other worthy causes.

They will celebrate the achievement with a giant two metre social distanced charity cheque at this Thursday’s clapping for the NHS, carers and fellow key workers.

The money has been raised from this initiative across all Go North East depots in Gateshead, Sunderland, Consett, Percy Main, Washington and Chester-le-Street over the last month.

Activities have included sponsored head shaving, running, walking, the ‘one million step challenge’, cream pies thrown in people’s faces and a whole lot more, with the money going to the following causes chosen by each depot team:

• Over £5,000 raised for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
• Almost £2,500 raised to buy toiletries and other items for the NHS and local care homes.
• Over £1,600 raised for Treetops children’s ward at University Hospital of North Durham.
• Over £1,400 raised for The BAY Foodbank, Michael Hall Foundation and Tanfield Railway with the proceeds split equally between the three causes.

Thursday is likely to be the last clap for the NHS, carers and fellow key workers, so to celebrate a special two metre long socially distanced charity cheque will mark the occasion, to be held at the company’s Chester-le-Street depot in Picktree Lane at 8pm.

Martijn Gilbert, managing director at Go North East, said: “It’s been great to see our team members unite at these challenging times and raise so much money for great causes.

“They’ve surpassed everyone’s wildest expectations by raising over £10,000 for charity, whilst also maintaining vital services for key workers and those making essential journeys and doing a number of fun and different good deeds which have brought cheer to customers and colleagues.

“I can’t thank them enough for their superb efforts which show true team and community spirit. We are exceptionally proud of them.”

To find out more about Go North East, visit www.gonortheast.co.uk.