Hays Travel is celebrating success after being shortlisted in the Heart of the Community category at the Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside heat of the North East Business Awards 2018.

The purpose of the award is to recongnize companies that demonstrate excellence in corporate, social and ethical activities and to identify those organisations which exemplify social and community spirit.

Commenting on the recent news, director, Jane Schumm said: “We are delighted to see the work that we do as a company to support our community is being recognised. It is an honour to be shortlisted in this particular category.

In the past years, we have delivered some fantastic projects focused on improving the wellbeing of the communities where Hays Travel operates, and we will continue to do so. We’re looking forward to the award ceremony next month and celebrating the success and achievements of companies in the North East.”

The winner will be announced at a prestigious awards dinner at Ramside Hall Hotel on Thursday, March 8.

Posted on Monday 22 January

Hundreds of people in challenging circumstances were able to enjoy the magic of panto at the Customs House in South Tyneside thanks to the Hays Travel Foundation.

More than 400 tickets for the North East’s Most Entertaining Pantomime – The Lambton Worm were donated to underprivileged or disabled children and their families.

They were chosen through different charities and schools in the area, and through applicants to the foundation.

John Hays, managing director of Hays Travel and co-founder of the Hays Travel Foundation, said: "For over a decade, Hays Travel have sponsored the Christmas pantomime at The Customs House and it is a great event.

We wanted to give families who don’t normally have the resources the chance to have this experience. We did this through the Hays Travel Foundation. It was a fantastic afternoon, filled with lots of fun and laughter."

The South Shields-based Charlie Cookson Foundation, which supports parents of children with life-limiting conditions, was one of the charities invited to the event.

Joanne Nicholson, fundraising and events manager, said: “We cannot thank the Hays Travel Foundation enough for giving our families the opportunity to attend this year’s pantomime at The Customs House.

"Christmas is always such a tough time of year for our families, with some spending it in hospital, so to be able to offer this to them was just amazing. Each family who attended had a fantastic time and enjoyed every bit of the day."

Fiona Martin, Deputy Director - Learning and Participation at The Customs House, said: "We were really delighted that Hays Travel Foundation generously gave the opportunity for children and families to be able to see our pantomime, especially those experiencing challenging circumstances, and were delighted to have the support of the Hays Travel Foundation."

Boost for drama provision is possible for youngsters in South Tyneside with the help of the Hays Travel Foundation.

Young people are given stage to shine with new after school drama club at Jarrow School. This is part of a three-year project funded by the foundation, which awarded the Customs House £17,230 to set it up.

The club is to provide pupils with the chance to develop their theatre and performance skills, put them into practice in shows, and earn nationally-recognised Arts Award qualifications in the process.

The school’s head of Year Seven, Amy Crompton, said: “Jarrow School is delighted to be working with the Customs House on such a worthwhile project for our students, who are enjoying the opportunity of working with outside agencies. A huge thank you must also go to Hays Travel Foundation, which is responsible for funding this venture.”

Deputy director for learning and participation at the Customs House, Fiona Martin, said: “We are thrilled to be working with these talented young people from Jarrow School and are excited to see them perform.”

Future plans include participation in 2018 National theatre Connections, future recruitment for the club and links with the senior section of the Customs House Youth Theatre.

Hays Travel Foundation trustee David Fleetwood said: “The application we received from the Customs House was a very exciting and different proposal, which exactly matched our objectives and the board of trustees was delighted to support it. “We hope this project will help the students develop their self-confidence, their aspiration to succeed and learn new skills in a different but enjoyable way and hopefully enhance their life chances as a result.”