Children’s charity receives donation from Co-operative depot

Heel & Toe, based in nearby Pelton, is the only charity in the region to provide Conductive Education and subsidised therapies to children with physical disabilities and complex needs.

Mandy Hammond, Community Fundraiser, said: “We are really thankful for this donation from the Co-op. We don’t receive any government funding and need to raise £1,000,000 every year. Currently we help over 220 local children every week who come to us for therapy are from all areas of the North East.”

Therapy includes conductive education, massage therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy from the charity’s main centre in Pelton. Its second therapy centre is a hydrotherapy pool, based in Perkinsville. The charity has also started offering hippotherapy in partnership with Washington Riding Centre.

Sarah Skillen, Engagement Co-ordinator at Co-op and Ambassador for Heel & Toe, said: “We are proud to be able to support Heel & Toe with this donation, which we raised from our Christmas Raffle and December Daily Draw. The vital support they give to children with physical disabilities and complex needs is life changing.”

As part of its fundraising drive, the charity runs events including an annual ball, golf days, bike rides, walks, and bingo nights. There are also options to fundraise independently as well as corporate sponsorship packages that include activities like monthly payroll donations, and sponsoring T-shirts.

Mandy added: “We are immensely grateful to the wonderful people that help to raise money to support children across the North East.”