One positive to come out of the pandemic is an increased emphasis on local communities and how important it is to take care of ourselves and others. At SRL every year we set a small annual budget for locally-focussed initiatives including grassroots sports, voluntary organisations and small charities. And this year they need our help more than ever.

Supporting sport….

SRL has more than 30 depots throughout the UK but it was the football team closest to our head office that we first got involved in sponsoring more than eight years ago.  Since then we’ve made an annual contribution towards Middlewich Town FC’s running costs and we’re proud to have our name on their shirts.

SRL also sponsors two pub football teams local to its Stargate depot in Newcastle - The Vulcan in and Up The Street Micropub, both in Blaydon. Luckily, they don’t play in the same league and we’re looking forward to seeing them both in action as soon as we’re allowed to!

Williams Karate in Northwich is a real asset to its local community. A fantastic club, it combines physical training with personal development for people of all ages. This year, SRL has provided much needed financial contribution towards T-shirts, hoodies, and competition fees. The daughter of one of the SRL team trains there and recently came second in the English Championships so they’re obviously on to a winning formula.

Heel and Toe

A personal connection was the starting point for supporting the Heel and Toe Children’s Charity in Chester-le-Street. The organisation was set up in 2008 by Paul Bannister to ensure other parents didn’t have to experience the difficulties he faced trying to find suitable therapy for his daughter.

In order to support the brilliant work this organisation does, we’ve paid for the running tops needed for fundraisers to participate in two Great North Runs, provided a vehicle for this year’s Heel and Toe Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge and we’ve also put our variable message signs (VMS) to use promoting other fundraising events. 

As this extraordinary year draws to a close, we urge our colleagues, customers and business partners to join us in supporting local community organisations like these who do so much to contribute to the lives of those they support.