Latest news with #TeessideFamilyFoundation
BBC News
04-08-2025
- BBC News
Middlesbrough school travel for autistic boy saved by donations
A school which could not provide an autistic boy with education after his "lifeline" minibus was destroyed in a break-in says it is overwhelmed by donations to help him travel Mackenzie Thorpe Centre school in South Bank, Middlesbrough, had its £50,000 minibus targeted by a thief on 19 Ford Tourneo van was stripped of its parts, causing £16,000 worth of the centre, run by the North East Autism Society (NEAS), said the donations meant its 12-year-old pupil Caleb could continue to be taken to and from school. The van, which had its bonnet, engine and tyres stolen during the break-in, was used to take Caleb on trips to local attractions, leisure facilities and school's interim principal Corrina McEwan said thanks to the "magnificent community response", Caleb could continue learning. The money, which includes a £10,000 donation from The Teesside Family Foundation, will go towards leasing a replacement vehicle for him until a permanent replacement is said: "We are incredibly grateful and overwhelmed by the generosity shown to us. We were devastated by what happened, but this means there will be limited disruption." Caleb's mum Sarah Bowman said the donation had helped "restore my faith in human nature"."They accepted Caleb when he was expelled from a different special needs school because of his extreme challenging behaviour, offering a more 'bespoke' community school environment, and this bus is his lifeline in accessing activities – it is his safe space," she school, which is named after Middlesbrough-born artist Mackenzie Thorpe, provides specialist education and care for autistic and neurodivergent children and adults across the Wedlake, from the volunteer-run Teesside Family Foundation, said: "As well as helping the school and NEAS, it is also a way of acknowledging the fantastic support Mackenzie Thorpe has given the foundation over the years."The foundation provides free holidays to families and specialist equipment for disabled children.A further £1,500 was donated by the Wainstones Hotel, at Great Broughton, while additional public donations were made through a GoFundMe Police said it was still investigating and urged anyone with information to contact the force. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
£10k grant leads ‘amazing' response to break-in at school for autistic children
A school for autistic children has been 'overwhelmed' by the generous response to a break-in which robbed a vulnerable 12-year-old boy of a 'lifeline' minibus. Staff at The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre, run by the North East Autism Society (NEAS), were 'devastated' when a hooded raider broke into the Middlesbrough school last week. The thief dismantled the £50,000 Ford Tourneo, stealing the bonnet, engine parts, and tyres, causing £16,000 of damage. Interim Principal Corrina McEwan with the damaged van last week (Image: Chris Barron) It is primarily used to transport a pupil called Caleb to and from the South Bank school, as well as take him on trips to local attractions, leisure facilities, and parks. However, the losses have been covered by a magnificent community response, led by The Teesside Family Foundation, which came forward with a £10,000 donation. Tony Wedlake, who launched the foundation in 2017, visited the school on Wednesday, along with trustee, Richard Poole, to hand over the money. Left to right: Teesside Family Foundation trustee Richard Poole, Interim Principal Corrina McEwan, and Teesside Family Foundation founder Tony Wedlake at The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre (Image: Chris Barron) Tony said: 'The beauty of The Teesside Family Foundation is that we are able to respond quickly and the trustees supported the decision to make this donation within 24 hours of hearing about the terrible break-in. 'As well as helping the school and NEAS, it is also a way of acknowledging the fantastic support Mackenzie Thorpe has given the foundation over the years.' Richard added: 'It's disappointing that someone would do this to a charity but, thankfully, we've been able to step in quickly and make sure the school continues its vital support for local families.' A further £1,500 was donated by the Wainstones Hotel, at Great Broughton, while additional public donations were made through a GoFundMe appeal. Caleb's mum Sarah Bowman set up a separate appeal page and raised £420. She said: 'The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre has helped and supported our family in all ways possible. Caleb, the 12-year-old boy who relies on the minibus (Image: NEAS) 'They accepted Caleb when he was expelled from a different special needs school because of his extreme challenging behaviour, offering a more 'bespoke' community school environment, and this bus is his lifeline in accessing activities – it is his safe space. 'I can't thank everyone enough for their amazing response to the appeal – especially the Teesside Family Foundation. It has restored my faith in human nature.' Interim principal Corrina McEwan said: 'We are incredibly grateful and overwhelmed by the generosity shown to us. We were devastated by what happened, but this means there will be limited disruption, and Caleb can continue his learning journey without feeling any impact.' The school is named in honour of Middlesbrough-born artist Mackenzie Thorpe, who is a NEAS patron. Most read: Reform councillor steps down after a month so wife can enter garden competition Planning bosses investigating after 200-year-old County Durham building 'destroyed' The faces of Jack Woodley's ten young killers all unmasked for the first time He said: 'This crime was heartbreaking but I never doubted for a moment that the people of Teesside would come together. 'Their kindness, and the incredible generosity of the Teesside Family Foundation, shine brighter than any darkness. "To know that this wonderful school can continue its work, and that Caleb and other children won't miss out on those precious days out because of such a mindless act, means everything.' Since it was launched, The Teesside Family Foundation – run entirely by volunteers – has raised £1.5m. Its support includes providing free holidays to 140 families every year, as well as providing specialist equipment for disabled children, and giving annual grants to around 50 grass roots sport clubs.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
37 pictures as thousands of runners take on Middlesbrough Half Marathon
Runners pounded the pavements of Middlesbrough in the town's half marathon this morning (Sunday, March 3). Almost 2,700 runners took part in the 13.1-mile race on a circular route through Albert Park, past the Riverside Stadium, along the Tees and finishing back at Centre Square. For some of the taking part the race was all about speed but one pair was seen taking on the route while juggling three balls. Two runners show off their multitasking skills by completing the race while juggling. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Douglas Musson placed first crossing the finish line in just one hour, six minutes and seven seconds. Douglas Musson, race winner, left. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Jasmine Clarke was the fastest woman completing it in one hour, eighteen minutes and twenty-two seconds. In the junior race of just under 700m around Central Square Hartlepool Athletics club member Albert Brown clocked a winning time of two minutes thirty-eight seconds. It is the second time the event, in aid of the Teesside Family Foundation, has taken place after a successful first outing last year. Roads around the town centre were closed while the race took place. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Read next: Darlington dad's sentence for murder referred for review for being 'too lenient' Spectacular pictures as Fire and Ice festival returns to Durham City Ex County Durham GP saw patients while drunk and offered woman £1k to sleep with him lick here to join our WhatsApp community and get breaking news updates direct to your phone. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
