Local company donates to charities after festive fundraising

A festive charity campaign by Newtown company Nidec Drives has helped raise hundreds of pounds and deliver vital donations to charities and community projects across Newtown and the wider region in the run up to Christmas.

The company’s “12 Days of Charity” initiative saw employees take part in a series of fundraising activities and donation drives throughout December, supporting causes ranging from cancer care and mental health to food poverty, family support and animal welfare.

Staff raised £616.11, including Gift Aid, for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund through a festive bake sale, while a Christmas Jumper Day generated a further £276 for Mind Mental Health UK. Colleagues also donated large quantities of toys, books and games to charity shops and organisations including Save the Children, Sue Ryder, Severn Hospice and the Salvation Army. Additional toys were given directly to Hafon Yr Afon café to support families struggling financially.

Essential hygiene items were collected and delivered to Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre, with surplus supplies passed on to The Hygiene Bank. Food donations were gathered for Newtown Food Surplus and the Telford United Food Bank Appeal to help ensure families had meals over the Christmas period.

The campaign also supported animal welfare, with pet care supplies donated to Gonsal Farm RSPCA in Shrewsbury, while the company made direct contributions of £500 to Hope House, £1,500 to Newtown’s Kindness Event, and sponsored places for colleagues to take part in the Oswestry Santa Run in aid of Mind Mental Health UK.

Laurent Babaud, President of Nidec Drives, said the campaign reflected the values at the heart of the business.

“At Nidec Drives, we believe our responsibility goes beyond engineering excellence. It is about making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” he said. “The 12 Days of Charity initiative shows the strength of our teamwork and compassion. I am proud of how our colleagues came together to support those who need it most at this time of year.”

Local charities have also welcomed the support. Eleri Williams, a volunteer at the Save the Children charity shop in Machynlleth, thanked employees for their generosity.

“The donations of toys, books and puzzles make a real difference,” she said. “They help us raise vital funds to support children both here in the UK and in crisis affected countries around the world.”