Mersey charity KIND named charity of the year by QTS Group

Leading rail contractor QTS Group has announced its charities of the year, including KIND, a children’s charity working with Merseyside children and families in need.

QTS Group, which provides specialist services in rail engineering, infrastructure and training, will see its employees fundraise for the charity over the course of the next year and it has kickstarted the partnership with a £500 donation. The staff from the Preston office of QTS are also donating an additional £287 from their annual Christmas sweep stake to the charity.

The donations helped to support KIND’s annual Christmas appeal, a campaign to make Christmas a happier time for thousands of disadvantaged children and families across the community.

For every £75 raised, KIND is able to provide a large family-sized food hamper packed with everything needed for a great Christmas.

Launched in 1975, the charity supports families year-round through tailored educational programmes as well as its annual Christmas appeal and summer residential, where Merseyside children are taken on an outdoor activity week in the countryside.

Carl Issit, Stephen Yip, Gary Burnett

Throughout the year, the funds raised by QTS Group will support KIND’s work across the region which helps thousands children and families a year.

Stephen Yip, Founder of KIND, said:

“The experiences and support we offer quite simply change the lives of disadvantaged young people in Liverpool and Merseyside. We aim to help children grow into the best people they can be by building their confidence through education, helping them to stay healthy and offering ongoing support.

“The initial donation from QTS supported our Christmas campaign as we provide hundreds of hampers of food, toys and clothes to brighten the festive period for families in need.

“During this challenging time, we are especially grateful for the initial donation from QTS and look forward to partnering together throughout 2021.”

KIND is one of QTS Group’s five charities of the year nominated by its employees.

The firm will also be supporting Andy’s Man Club, Whiteleys Retreat, The Kris Boyd Charity and Samuel’s Smile – all based across England and Scotland.

Gary Burnett, Operations Director at QTS Group, said:

“All the charities we support are chosen by our staff and as a firm, we are dedicated to helping charities and communities where we operate.

“We have been blown away by the work KIND do in the local community to improve the lives of children and families living in poverty and we were proud to provide this initial donation as the charity completes their busiest time of the year.

“We will be continuing our fundraising efforts in 2021 to support the amazing work KIND does.”