Sunderland Live are about to prove that charity begins at home with the launch of their Sunderland focused 2015/16 Charity Partnership.

Slide Charity 1Four charities have been selected to form this year’s partnership which will benefit from fundraising opportunities at several 2015/16 Sunderland Live events including Sunderland International Airshow.This year’s Sunderland Live charity partners have been confirmed as The North East Autism Society, St Benedict’s Hospice, MS Society Sunderland and The NSPCC.

Catrina Flynn, Fundraising Manager at St. Benedict’s Hospice said: “As a Sunderland based charity that supports patients and their families from Sunderland it is wonderful to be working with an organisation that is striving to make a real difference in the area that our beneficiaries come from. People can be assured that any funds raised will be used locally for the support of local people.”

Carl Brown, Chairman at The MS Society added: "The MS Society Sunderland & District Branch are excited to begin our charity partnership with Sunderland Live. We are pleased that all funds raised are to be used within the Sunderland area; ensuring people and their families get the much needed help and support that they require and at a local level.”

Beginning with the sold out WearSlide event in April, charity partners will benefit from guaranteed fundraising opportunities at a combination of existing and brand new Sunderland Live events. Jessica Regnart, who is coordinating the partnership on behalf of Sunderland Live acknowledges the importance of a locally based partnership.

Nihad Ćehić, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager- North East commented: “The NSPCC is delighted to be a charity partner with Sunderland Live. All of the money raised from this partnership will support our services across Sunderland and Wearside, which help local children and families. I would like to thank Sunderland Live for choosing to support the NSPCC and for helping us to protect local children here in Sunderland and Wearside.”

Sophie Clarke, Events Fundraiser at North East Autism Society added: “We’re delighted to be a charity partner with Sunderland Live. It is an exciting year for NEAS, we are celebrating our 35th anniversary! The partnership will enable us to raise awareness about autism, but also demonstrate some of the highly specialist work that we do and the benefits this has on our children and young people.”