JT Dove is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion bosses have set themselves and the team a challenge.

Managing Director Steve Robinson has been with the company for 14 years and he has guided it through trying times, including a move from the historic HQ at the Stephenson Quarter in Newcastle to its new HQ office in Newburn.

Over this time, the company has grown to an impressive 17 branches covering from North Yorkshire to the Scottish border and from the North East Coast to the North West Coast. The company turnover exceeded an impressive £59million last year.

However, the company is not one to rest on its laurels and to celebrate it’s success, and mark the outstanding milestone, the management and team has pledged to raise £100,000 for The Children’s Heart Unit Fund based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

The fundraising efforts are being supported by platinum sponsors Hanson Cement, Arbor Forest, Keystone Lintels and Ibstock Group. The four companies are supporting the final fundraising activity on 16 November 2019, a black tie dinner dance at the Crowne Plaza, Newcastle. This will have a Christmas theme, with entertainment provided by the Jersey Girls.

In the run up to this big, final event, activities involving staff, customers and suppliers will take place, including a race day for 400 guests at Newcastle Racecourse on 6 April. There is also a family fun day being held at Beamish Open Air Museum on the 9 June, bringing together loyal staff, partners and their children of all ages to support the charitable drive.

Robinson said: “Turning 150 years old is a great achievement and much of our success has been from the support of our local communities. We therefore felt it important to find a way to give back!

“Many of our staff have done and are doing charitable activities to donate to the final pot, including sporting challenges, personal activities and even being waxed! A huge thank you and acknowledgement goes to all of them who have already contributed.

“An enormous thanks to our four platinum sponsors….. £100,000 is a large target and we need all the help we can get!”