Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) is supporting the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland’s new North East Roots fund.

WBD, Evelyn Partners, and the Newcastle Building Society are sponsoring a regional launch event for the new fund on Wednesday 11 October at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead called the North East Roots Showcase, which will see passionate performances by talented local artists and performers.

The fund is the latest initiative from the Community Foundation, which works to bring together people and businesses across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to support vital local causes that make a lasting difference to communities. 

Celebrating the global success and impact which the North East region has made, the new fund will support local charities and community groups by bringing together generous donors who share a special passion for the region wherever they are in the world. The fund aims to create opportunities, reduce inequalities, and sustain the region.

Will Bonas, Partner in WBD's Private Capital team, said:

"We are proud to support the launch of the new North East Roots Fund which will help to ensure that the great work of the Community Foundation can continue to grow.

As a firm deeply embedded in the North East, with our history here going back to 1786, we are strongly committed to the region and so supporting this fund aligns naturally with our longstanding core values.

We are passionate about highlighting what has been achieved by the region and within the region, but there is always much more to be done and our commitment to the Community Foundation's new fund is a key part of ensuring that we give back effectively."

Emma Moody, Partner and Head of WBD's Charities team, said:

"We are proud to support charities and voluntary organisations across the region which are doing important work for the community and its people. We hope we can play our part in making a difference to the people who benefit from this fund".

Rob Williamson, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation said:

"We are over the moon that Womble Bond Dickinson and Evelyn Partners have chosen to back this incredibly important event as we look to launch our North East Roots Fund in the region, which aims to encourage those with deep ties to the region to find a natural pathway to give back to the community.

Womble Bond Dickinson, with its strong, deep roots within the region and its dedication to supporting the area, embody these values perfectly, and we are grateful for its support in helping to ensure this showcase is a huge success."

In the North East, WBD also supports The People's Kitchen, a charity that provides food, clothing, toiletries, mobile phones and sleeping bags to homeless and vulnerable people in the community, as part of its yearly charity drive initiatives.