Charities set to benefit from Hutchinson staff

LEADING Northern Ireland engineering company, SJC Hutchinson Engineering has chosen The Cedar Foundation and the Mid Ulster Branch of Autusm NI as their nominated charities for 2015. Pictured with Richard Hutchinson Operational Director of Hutchinson Engineeing is Margaret Love (L) of the Mid Ulster Branch of Autuism NI and Christine Tweedie of The Cedar Foundation (R).

For a number of years, Hutchinson Engineering, based in Kilrea and Antrim, have been quietly raising thousand of pounds for charities each year. Every year employees are asked to nominate two charities which the rest of the company then wholeheartedly support.

Richard Hutchinson, Operations Director of SJC Hutchinson Engineering explains, “Each year we ask our employees to choose two charities that we raise monies for throughout the whole year.

“We usually find that they have a particular resonation with our staff. This year our HR Co-ordinator Michelle McErlean chose Cedar and Tal Shanker, CNC Laser Operator, chose Autusm NI (Mid Ulster Branch).

“Cedar stood out as a charity because of their exceptional work and the extra support they give to families living with disabilities. It is obvious that they go that extra mile and are of great assistance through various means whether it is helping with housing, activities, educational advice or just giving that additional support.

“The Mid Ulster Branch of Autusm NI stood out as they personally give assistance to one of our employees and his family. The Mid Ulster Branch provides wonderful support from monthly meetings, days out toadvice on how to deal with a child that has autusm.

“We have a number of fundraising activities planned for throughout the year, such as participation in the Belfast marathon, an annual table quiz, cycling events and open days to donations at Christmas in lieu of customer or supplier gift boxes.

“Last year alone we donated over £5,000 to our nominated charities. We haven’t set a target for 2015 but we’ve already raised over £2k, via a mud run and the Christmas raffle, which we are enormously proud of. We are looking forward to a very successful year fundraising for The Cedar Foundation and Autusm NI”