Local company Britcab Ltd has supported Daisy Chain for many years and in the fifteenth anniversary year of the charity, they made it their Charity of the Year.
This year the family-owned firm, which supplies portable cabins to businesses and organisations across the UK, has also sponsored the charity’s annual flagship Winter Ball.
The company, with a base in Billingham and York, was founded a decade ago by Dale Wilsdon. As well as business partner Andy Wilkinson, he has been joined by his sons Greg and Richard as well as a number of other family members as the business expanded.
Dale has attended the Daisy Chain Winter Ball for many years and was very impressed with the work the charity was doing to support families affected by autism.
As the family business grew, the annual event became their Christmas night out. ‘It’s a great occasion to be able to celebrate and to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause,’ Dale explains.
Britcab expects to raise in the region of £10,000 for Daisy Chain by the end of 2018. Nine members of staff completed the Cleveland Four Peaks earlier in the year including Greg and Richard’s sister Becky. ‘It was a real team building experience,’ says Greg. ‘It was also a real achievement to do it.’
Richard ran the Great North Run for the first time with Andy Wilkinson and Josh Williams undertook the Yorkshire Marathon to raise funds for Daisy Chain. ‘It’s been a great year and we have had a lot of fun along the way,’ says Greg.
Dale adds, ‘You get a lot out of being part of the Daisy Chain network and the social events. Yes, you support a great cause but you also, as a business, make new contacts and connections.’
Greg and Richard both agree that raising funds for Daisy Chain has opened their eyes to autism and the affect it can have on families. ‘Often, unless you directly know someone very well who is affected, I think it’s hard to understand autism as it is invisible.’
Richard adds, ‘Daisy Chain does a great job of raising awareness in businesses, organisations and the community which makes it extremely rewarding to be able to offer what support we can.’
Dale concludes, ‘We will continue to support Daisy Chain, it’s a local charity and it’s become very close to my heart over the years we at Britcab have supported it. Daisy Chain does some wonderful work and I would encourage businesses and organisations to get involved.’