Hartlepool shoppers boost worthy causes during '˜great' fundraiser

Daisy Chain fundraiser Emily Nicholson at the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre event.

It was one of 140 centres across the UK taking part in ‘One Great Day’, which is a series of family and community charity events being throughout the month.

Middleton Grange staged the town event aimed at raising money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and Daisy Chain, a Norton-based charity which provides children with autism an environment solely for them and offers families and carers support, including those from Hartlepool.

Mascots Daisy and Buddy with Lauren Twidale(right), 11 month old Lucas Twidale and four year old Gabriel Manson.

There was activities for all the family to enjoy, with dance troupes from Hartlepool’s Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts a martial arts group demonstration.

There was also balloon modelling, a charity static bike ride and competitions to win a host of prizes.

A shopping centre spokesman said: “The day proved a huge success with the activities raising more than £1,000 for local charity Daisy Chain and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“There was a host of events including a martial arts demonstration, balloon modelling and a charity static bike ride courtesy of Xercise4less and plenty of prizes up for grabs throughout the day.

Seven year old Katie Wanley hooking ducks at the charity event.

“Middleton Grange would like to thank everyone who came along on the day to show their support for these two great causes.”

Daisy Chain community fundraiser Angela Dee previously said: “We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as the charity partner by Middleton Grange and to be part of their One Great Day charity day.

“We are a Stockton-based charity but, due to demand, have recently expanded our services to Hartlepool families with a new parent support group at the West View Resource Centre.

“One Great Day will give us the opportunity to meet and chat to more families in Hartlepool who are affected by autism, and the money raised will help us to continue making a difference to those families that need our support.”

One Great Day trustee Michal Noe added: “We are thrilled to have Middleton Grange as one of 140 shopping centres taking part this year, helping so many children’s health charities across the country.”

One Great Day was established in 2014 and has so far raised more than £400,000 for 93 different children’s charities.