The Teesside Family Foundation

18/10/2026

🎉 HAPPY 115TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR ICONIC TEESSIDE TRANSPORTER BRIDGE! 💙

115 YEARS OF TEESSIDE HISTORY, HERITAGE & PRIDE!

On 17th October 1911, the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge officially opened, becoming one of the most recognisable landmarks in the North East and a proud symbol of Teesside's industrial heritage.

💙 DID YOU KNOW?

The iconic Transporter Bridge is proudly represented in The Teesside Family Foundation's very own logo!

When we established the Foundation in 2017, we wanted our identity to reflect where we come from, the community we serve and the Teesside heritage we are so proud of.

🌉 OUR TRANSPORTER BRIDGE DESERVES A FUTURE!

We firmly believe this magnificent landmark should be repaired, restored and brought back into full working service.

The Transporter Bridge is far more than just a structure crossing the River Tees. It's part of our identity, our history and our town's story.

It has stood proudly for 115 years, and we must do everything possible to ensure it remains standing and operational for generations to come.

Our heritage should not simply be admired from a distance — it should be protected, celebrated and enjoyed.

💙 115 YEARS OF HISTORY.
❤️ ONE ICONIC LANDMARK.
🌉 LET'S GET OUR TRANSPORTER BRIDGE WORKING AGAIN!

Happy 115th Birthday from everyone at The Teesside Family Foundation!

18/10/2026

🎰🎲 SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT! 🎲🎰
✨ VIVA LAS VEGAS – TEESSIDE STYLE! ✨

❤️ OUR 10TH BLACK TIE BALL IS OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! ❤️

We are absolutely delighted to announce that The Teesside Family Foundation's 10th Black Tie Ball is now completely SOLD OUT! 🎉

On Friday 13th November 2026, we'll be bringing the glitz, glamour and excitement of LAS VEGAS to Hardwick Hall Hotel for what promises to be an unforgettable evening!

And what a night we have planned! 🎉

🎤 Compère – Gary Philipson

🎧 Live DJ – Pete Livo

🎸 Live Band – The Fallen

🪄 Magician – Magic Marty

🎰 Vegas-Style Roulette Tables

♠️♥️ Blackjack Tables

📸 Photobooth Fun

🥂 Welcome Drinks & Delicious Three-Course Dinner

🎁 Fantastic Charity Auction & Raffle

❤️ BUT THE BIGGEST WINNERS WILL BE LOCAL FAMILIES ACROSS TEESSIDE!

Every pound raised on the night will help The Teesside Family Foundation continue making a real difference in our community, including helping to make Christmas extra special for children and families who need our support.

As a 100% volunteer-led charity, every event we organise is made possible by the incredible generosity of local people, businesses, sponsors and our dedicated volunteers.

👏 A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased tickets, booked tables, sponsored the evening or supported our charity.

Ten Black Tie Balls is an incredible milestone, and we couldn't have reached it without YOU!

❤️ TEESSIDE, YOU NEVER LET US DOWN!

🎰 FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2026

✨ HARDWICK HALL HOTEL

🎲 VIVA LAS VEGAS – LET'S MAKE OUR 10TH BLACK TIE BALL THE BIGGEST AND BEST YET!

17/10/2026

17/10/2026

🎰 BACK FOR OUR 10TH BLACK TIE BALL! 🎰

🎤 THE ONE AND ONLY GARY PHILIPSON IS BACK!

We're absolutely delighted to welcome back the brilliant Gary Philipson as our compère for The Teesside Family Foundation's spectacular 10th Black Tie Ball!

Gary has been a fantastic supporter of our charity over the years, bringing his trademark humour, energy and personality to our fundraising evenings.

And this year, we're going bigger than ever! ✨

🇺🇸 VIVA LAS VEGAS! 🇺🇸

📅 Friday 13th November 2026
📍 Hardwick Hall Hotel
🎰 Las Vegas Black Tie Ball

With an incredible evening of entertainment, fundraising, laughter and a few surprises along the way, we're ready to make our 10th Ball a night to remember!

❤️ One incredible community. One unforgettable night. All for the people of Teesside.

Gary, welcome back — we can't wait! 👏

16/10/2026

IT'S NOT JUST A PUSHCHAIR… IT'S A LITTLE GIRL'S WORLD MADE BIGGER! ❤️

Sometimes, the biggest difference we can make comes from something many of us take for granted.

We recently funded a specialist disability pushchair for a beautiful little girl here on Teesside, and we've received the most wonderful message from her family. ❤️

💬 "She loves it! She actually climbs into the seat herself! Thank you so much for what you do and your continued generosity. We cannot express our overwhelming gratitude."

To some, it's just a pushchair. To this little girl and her family, it's comfort, independence, freedom and happiness.

❤️ THIS IS WHAT YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES POSSIBLE!

Every donation, every fundraiser and every business supporting The Teesside Family Foundation helps us change lives across our community.

Sometimes changing the world means changing the world for just one little girl.

DO YOU KNOW A FAMILY WHO NEEDS SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT?

We may be able to help!

👉 Apply here:
https://www.theteessidefamily.com/specialist-equipment/

❤️ PLEASE SHARE — YOUR SHARE COULD CHANGE ANOTHER CHILD'S LIFE!

The Teesside Family Foundation
Together for Teesside

15/10/2026

🎅 CHRISTMAS IS COMING TO TEESSIDE! 🎅

❤️ The Teesside Family Foundation is getting ready to spread some Christmas magic across our community once again!

For many families, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But for others, it can be a time of worry, financial pressure and uncertainty.

That's where YOU and The Teesside Family Foundation come in!

This Christmas, we're bringing our community together for three very special initiatives:

🎁 THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS – TOY APPEAL

Helping ensure children across Teesside who are facing difficult circumstances wake up on Christmas morning with presents to open and smiles on their faces.

🍫 CHRISTMAS SELECTION BOX APPEAL

Spreading a little extra Christmas joy by providing thousands of selection boxes to children across our community.

🎅 CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Creating magical Christmas memories for local children and families, with festive celebrations, special experiences and plenty of Christmas cheer!

❤️ TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!

Last Christmas, thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, volunteers and local businesses, we achieved something truly special:

🎁 7,000 toys distributed to 1,000 children.

🍫 8,000 selection boxes provided.

🎅 1,000 children attended our Christmas events.

🙌 Around 400 volunteers helped make it all possible.

And this year, we want to do it all again!

We're a 100% volunteer-led charity, and everything we achieve is made possible by the kindness and generosity of the people and businesses of Teesside.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be announcing how you can get involved, donate toys, contribute selection boxes, volunteer your time or support our Christmas activities.

🎄 Because every child deserves a little Christmas magic.

❤️ Together for Teesside.

🌐 www.theteessidefamily.com

14/10/2026

💙 WELCOME BACK – CLEVELAND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING! 💙

👏 6 YEARS OF SUPPORTING TEESSIDE!

The Teesside Family Foundation is delighted to welcome back Cleveland Systems Engineering as one of our valued long-term Charity Partners!

For the past six years, Cleveland Systems Engineering has stood alongside our Foundation, believing in the work we do and sharing our passion for making a real difference to the lives of local people.

Their continued commitment means so much to us. Having businesses that genuinely believe in our mission allows us to keep supporting children, families and communities across Teesside who need a helping hand.

❤️ A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER, TONY WEDLAKE:

"Having the continued support of Cleveland Systems Engineering for six years is something we're incredibly grateful for.

They've believed in what we're trying to achieve from the early days, and that loyalty means a great deal to me personally and to everyone involved in the Foundation.

We're a charity run entirely by volunteers, and we simply couldn't achieve what we do without businesses like Cleveland Systems Engineering standing alongside us.

It's not just about financial support. It's about local businesses believing in their community, believing in our work and wanting to be part of something that makes a genuine difference.

Thank you to everyone at Cleveland Systems Engineering for another year of support. We're proud to have you as part of the TTFF family."

🤝 COULD YOUR BUSINESS BECOME A TTFF CHARITY PARTNER?

Since 2017, The Teesside Family Foundation has raised almost £2 MILLION to support local families, children, grassroots sports clubs, community organisations and people facing some of life's toughest challenges.

We're 100% volunteer-led, and our Charity Partners play a vital role in helping us continue this work.

If your business believes in giving something back to the community, we'd love to welcome you on board.

🔗 Find out more about becoming a Charity Partner:

https://www.theteessidefamily.com/corporate-partners/

💙 Together, we're making a difference. Together for Teesside.

13/10/2026

📸 A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE ODD BARON!
We’re delighted to thank The Odd Baron for being our Photography & Red Carpet Sponsor at The Teesside Family Foundation Las Vegas 10th Black Tie Ball.

📅 Friday 13th November 2026
📍 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Coleman Suite

Their generous support will help us make this a night to remember while raising vital funds for children, families and communities across Teesside.

Every sponsorship helps us provide life-changing specialist equipment, much-needed family breaks, memorable My Dream Days and support for grassroots sports.

As a 100% volunteer-led charity, we depend on the kindness of businesses and supporters who believe in making a difference locally.

Thank you, The OddBaron, for being part of our special night and helping us continue supporting the people of Teesside. 💙

12/10/2026

💙 SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT FUNDING 💙
The right equipment can be life-changing.

Through our Specialist Equipment Fund, The Teesside Family Foundation helps children and adults across Teesside access vital equipment that improves independence, mobility, comfort, and quality of life.

From specialist buggies, car seats and wheelchairs to adaptive trikes and essential support equipment — we’re here to help when it matters most.

👉 Find out more or apply here:
🔗 https://www.theteessidefamily.com/specialist-equipment/

Together, we’re funding specialist equipment that truly changes lives across Teesside.

💙

12/10/2026

✨ A HUGE THANK YOU TO KDM GROUP! ✨

We’re delighted to thank KDM Group Ltd for supporting The Teesside Family Foundation as our Room Décor Sponsor for our Las Vegas 10th Black Tie Ball! 🎰♠️

📅 Friday 13th November 2026
📍 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Coleman Suite

Your generosity will help us bring the Vegas sparkle to a special evening of fundraising, helping us support children, families and communities across Teesside.

From specialist equipment and accessible family breaks to My Dream Days and grassroots sports, your support helps us make a lasting difference to local lives.

As a 100% volunteer-led charity, we rely on the kindness of businesses and supporters who share our passion for helping others.

Thank you, KDM Partnership, for being part of this special night and standing together for Teesside. 💙.

Shaun Heap