At Raine & Horne we believe that community life is important and that by supporting local people and organisations we are providing a valuable service to the community. We liaise with organisations which serve the local community to see how Raine & Horne can assist them with any funding they may need and also liaise with individuals who may need help with personal projects.
We have already been successful in raising money for two local organisations.
In Autumn last year the Janina School of Dance in Cross Gates approached us and explained that a section of their flooring in the Dancing School was in serious need of extensive repair work in order to make it safe. The repairs would cost £1510. Their profit margin was at a minimum and unless the money could be raised to cover the cost of the repair work, the school would have to close. This would have been a great shame as the Dancing School has been here in Cross Gates for 24 years and gives pleasure and purpose to many local people.
We at Raine and Horne set to work contacting local businesses to see if they would be willing to donate to this cause. As a result of contributions from 12 local businesses (including ourselves), plus a donation from the Leeds City Council MICE fund, we raised the total of £1510. The Dancing School can now continue with business as usual, being very much valued part of the Cross Gates community.
We received a letter of thanks from Janice Wild, the owner of the Dancing School which included the following : ‘On behalf of myself and my pupils, may I extend our grateful thanks for both the generous donation you gave and also all the hard work put in, in achieving enough funds for the repairs to my studio floor. Without your help I would not have been in a position to have the work carried out. I am deeply indebted to you for allowing me to carry on teaching in the area.’
Many thanks to the following businesses who generously contributed: Univever Ltd, J Long and Sons (Haulage) Ltd, R & R Ice Cream, Crossgates Chiropractic Clinic, Cream Professional Beauty, Arts & Flowers Florist, Monroes Florist, Route Office Supplies, Halfords Ltd and Hayes Garden World. Acorn Interior Solutions Building & Joinery carried out the work at a reduced rate by kindly donating their time voluntarily. Many thanks also to the Leeds City Councilors who authorized the donation from the MICE funds.
Earlier this year we were approached by the Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours Scheme. They are a charity which was set up in 2002 to work with older people who live in the Cross Gates and surrounding areas to provide advice, information and support for them. Their main centre, on Station Road in Cross Gates was in need of new carpeting. They are a small charity with limited funds and so could not pay for this themselves.
Once again, we at Raine & Horne rallied round local businesses to raise the necessary money. Not only did we successfully raise the amount needed, but as a result of our liaising with ASDA Superstore, they have agreed to allocate £5000 in funding to the Good Neighbours charity so that they can have a total refurbishment! What a result! The charity is understandably highly delighted. They play a very valuable role in the Cross Gates community and it is marvelous that they are now able to modernise their premises. Raine and Horne are very proud to have been a part of this.
total of 13 business contributed (including ourselves). Many thanks to the following: Schnix Hairdressers, Beauty for you, Mecca Bingo, Chiltern Mills, Optare Group, Cross Gates Chiropody & Therapy Centre, Abacus Hearing Aid Centre, Route Office Supplies, Hughes Funeral Services, Dodgsons Funeral Services and Tesco. Special thanks to ASDA Superstore for releasing the £5000 funding.
Raine & Horne are proud to be the regular sponsors of the Kippax Dramatic Society.
We sponsored their November 2007 play ‘When We Are Married’ which is a very popular Yorkshire comedy written by J.B. Priestley. We have also sponsored their recent production of ‘A Tomb With a View’ which is a comedy thriller by Norman Robbins. Both plays were well received and had excellent reviews.
Raine & Horne have sponsored the Cross Gates Methodist Scout Group in their production of the nativity play ‘Rock Around the Flock’ in December. This was performed by the Scout Group in the Methodist church hall and also at two local care homes for the elderly. It was very much enjoyed by all who attended and was especially appreciated in the care homes. Raine & Horne have also supplied high quality polo shirts for the production crew to wear with the scout emblem embroidered on them including the Raine & Horne logo.
Raine & Horne like to support local schools where possible and have recently sponsored a ‘Safety Watch’ campaign in 3 local schools: Crossgates Primary, Manston St James Primary and Manston Primary. This involved the schools and the parents receiving a Safety Watch “Safety Fun” interactive CD Rom to help teach important safety messages.
We are currently working in partnership with John Smeaton Community College and will liaising closely with them in the near future to provide mock interviews and work experience for their students.