2018 Winner
Lynne Davis and Cheryl McDonald
Lynne and Cheryl set up their Community Corner charity four years ago, which sells donated goods to raise money for worthy causes in South Tyneside. They have been dubbed “angels in the community” as they dedicate their days to making people’s lives better.
The mother and daughter, with a small team of staff and volunteers, have raised more than £130,000 and now have two shops in South Shields with plans to open a third. They have provided vital funds for a range of good causes, from buying life-saving medical equipment for hospitals to items needed by schools and community groups and organisations. Last year Lynne and Cheryl provided more than 3,000 high-visibility vests to nurseries and primary schools across South Tyneside, and also helped a local pub football team by purchasing training jackets. They also help a local women’s shelter by making up welcome boxes for women after they have fled their homes.
Lynne said: “After business costs we give every penny to someone who needs it. We get no funding or grants, we run solely on the donations that people give us.”
“We just feel incredibly proud to be in the position we are, to be able to help our community and schools.”
This amazing duo have helped schools, bought wheelchairs for children with spina bifida and made welcome packs for the local women’s refuge full of toiletries. They have paid for a baby’s headstone who tragically died eight weeks before her due date. They also paid for a young lad’s funeral in full after he died in the most tragic of circumstances.
Mum-of-two Lynne of Jarrow, said: “We can’t believe it. I know it sounds silly but we keep thinking someone is playing a joke. This is huge for us, massive. We are looking forward to the awards night, we just hope this will raise the profile of Community Corner and let more people know what we do.
Mum-of-two Cheryl of South Shields, added: “When my mam says ‘we can’t believe it’, we mean we honestly can’t believe it. I’m still speechless. This is such an honour and such a big thing for us to win. We were over the moon with winning the Chronicle Champions Award and now we have won a place in the Pride of North East Awards. This is so big for us, it proves we are doing something right. It’s nice to know that others feel we are doing something good.”
Bev Gibson, Area Director for TSB North East, said: “The TSB Community Partner Award is all about celebrating the amazing work people do to help their communities thrive and Lynne and Cheryl are shining examples of people doing just this.
We think that Lynne and Cheryl are proof that amazing people are the heartbeat of communities across the country.