MKM Hartlepool’s Mick Sumpter has collected two prestigious awards on behalf of his charity as well as being bestowed the ‘Teesside Hero Award’ for his lifelong commitments.

Sumpter is a trustee of the European Children’s Help Organisation, which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged children in Romania and has been running for more than 20 years. As well as Branch Director at MKM Hartlepool, Sumpter regularly travels to Romania to undertake charity work. His latest visit saw him open a centre for children with Down’s syndrome in Botosani - one of the poorest areas of Romania. The centre is run by the ECHO.

The ECHO won an award for its continued work for disadvantaged children in the city of Iasi - given by its Mayor, Mihai Chirica. The charity has been involved in a variety of projects to help disadvantaged children this region, including work on a children’s cancer ward, as well as on the main hospital and on renovating a school. The second award was in recognition of ECHO’s partnership with children’s charity Star of Hope International.

The final award was the Teesside Hero Award, awarded by the Teesside Philanthropic Foundation. This recognises Sumpter’s personal longstanding commitment to the causes of disadvantaged children, locally and in Romania. Sumpter has helped raise over £200,000 for cancer-related causes in memory of his late friend, Kay Smith. This is in addition to Sumpter’s commitments to a number of local charities, such as the Carlton Camp, which gives disadvantaged kids from Hartlepool the opportunity to adventure outdoors.

Not only that, but during the festive period, Sumpter’s MKM branch was the headquarters of the Hartlepool Mail’s ‘Give A Little Gift’ campaign. The staff at the branch along with family and friends all got behind the campaign, with over 600 gifts donated to the branch which were then distributed to charities around Hartlepool. The target for this year’s appeal is 1000 gifts.

Sumpter said: “It’s fantastic that the ECHO is receiving the recognition that it deserves for the vital work carried out over many years. It’s only with everyone’s fantastic support that the charity is able to continue achieving what it does.

“On a personal note, it’s humbling to receive the Teesside Hero Award. Seeing everyone come together as they did for the Give a Little Gift appeal was truly inspiring. Over 600 gifts were received into our branch, all going to help those kids and their families who don’t have as much at Christmas.

“There are so many out there who need our support and help - so I hope everyone keeps an eye peeled for MKM Hartlepool’s next fundraising efforts!”