Ryder Christmas Tree

I started working for Ryder in November 2012 and was a little surprised to discover that a Christmas tree was not on the agenda.  I was determined to bring the festive spirit to Cooper’s Studios reception.

I persuaded managing partner, Mark Thompson and finance director, Graeme Hurworth, to let me put a tree up on the basis that I would make it part of our Giving Something Back campaign.  Our tree is the focus of support for Metro Radio’s Cash for Kids – a local charity run by the radio station to help children less fortunate and facing challenging times in the north east.  It is a cause very close to my heart and I am passionate about helping others at this time of year.

Our mission this Christmas, as always, is to make sure no child gets forgotten on Christmas Day and we hope that once again, we can count on all our people and clients to make this happen.  This is our fourth year of supporting the charity and each year I’m overwhelmed by the fantastic generosity shown by everyone.

Last year, with the help of Ryder, the charity distributed toys to over 40,000 local children, an astonishing figure and we are immensely proud to be part of this.  These are children who are often living in desperate conditions, suffering from dire poverty, living in care or refuges, suffering from neglect, recovering from abuse or ill treatment or those with disabilities who require specialist toys to improve their wellbeing.  I find it so sad that this still happens, for whatever reason, in 2016.

All I ask is that people buy one extra gift (unwrapped) for a boy or girl aged 0-18 years and leave it under our tree by 16 December and I’ll do the rest.