Sometimes there’s more to business than making money, as a Teesside firm proved when they extended a helping hand to a local charity hit by financial crisis. Marie Turbill reports.

HAVE you heard of MAIN?

You soon will.

It’s the new name for a Teesside charity that may have previously slipped under your radar.

But all that is about to change as the support service for individuals and families living with autism, formerly known as The Main Project, has undergone a massive rebranding campaign, with the help of Stokesley-based Better brand agency.

It’s contemporary new black and white logo with smiling face and “I am...” strapline are now the pride of the 10-year-old charity which has just undergone a massive restructure.

“It might seem like just a name, or just a logo, but it’s so much more,” says service manager, Kelly Bainbridge.

“It has created a real buzz about the charity again. The confidence it gives in the organisation and in yourself is amazing.”

She describes the work, carried out by Better, clarifying their aims and then presenting them as a recognisable brand, as “the charity’s saviour”.

In December the Gazette reported how The Main Project faced a funding crisis, with warnings that the cash could run out in as little as two months.

Bosses were forced into a radical restructure in their fight to cut costs, with 13 of 18 jobs lost.