Mid Ulster firm to raise funds for Autism NI and Cedar Foundation

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 said: “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 affiliation 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 Autism 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 to advise on how to deal with a child that has autism.

“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 and as you can imagine we are looking forward to a very successful year fundraising for The Cedar Foundation and Autusm NI!”

Christine Tweedie, Cedar’s Fundraising Co-ordinator said: “We would like to thank SJC Hutchinson Engineering for choosing Cedar as their charity and we are looking forward to working together on various projects throughout the year.”

The Cedar Foundation delivers a range of services throughout Northern Ireland that enable children and adults with disabilities to be fully included in their communities. To find out more about Cedar or how you can get involved in fundraising, call 028 9061 2424 or log onto www.cedar-foundation.org.

Margaret Love, Chairman of the Mid Ulster Branch of Autusm NI, said, “We are absolutely delighted that SJC Hutchinson Engineering has chosen Autusm NI to support this year.

“Our funds come from individuals and organisations who take the time to fundraise and support our work.

“We have over 400 families in the Mid Ulster area who will benefit from this financial support and we very much look forward to working with the company through the various projects in 2015.”

Autusm NI provide training for parents and professionals and support to the families and person across the spectrum.

The Autism NI Mid Ulster Branch is open to anyone affected by autism and aims to provide support and information to parents/carers and increase autism-awareness.

To find out more about autism or how to help fundraise please contact the Chairperson, Mrs Mary Margaret Love on 07546773218.