A COMPANY that owns a thriving 700-acre business park on Teesside has pledged its support for a tiny community cafe.
Wynyard Park has given £200 to the Burbank Community Cafe in Hartlepool which provides a meeting place for residents who might otherwise be left isolated and lonely.
The company agreed to make the donation after hearing how a small group of dedicated volunteers is working hard to make the cafe a success.
Ruth Stoddart, Alan Russell and Joyce Kelly are the driving forces behind the cafe which is based within the Burbank Community Centre on the town’s Burbank estate, and they are happy to give up hours of their own time.
Paul Barber, Wynyard Park’s Managing Director, said: “People like Ruth, Alan and Joyce are worth their weight in gold. They often don’t get the recognition they deserve for the contribution they make to their local communities, so when we heard about the café we were only too happy to help.”
Mrs Stoddart said: “I’m so grateful for the support of Wynyard Park Ltd and we will put the money towards our running costs.
“It’s not very often that you get a business of their size supporting a small community-based venture like us. The fact that they would even spare us a thought is of huge credit to them.”
Wynyard Park Ltd started out in 2005 and since then it has attracted more than £250million of private investment into its business park near Billingham. The park is home to around 60 companies employing in excess of 1,500 people.
The cafe has been running for about nine months and it currently opens on a Wednesday from 9am-1pm, regularly attracting up to 20 customers.
