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Nick Collins, Managing Director of Newcastle-based web hosting company ZebraHosts, has agreed to take part in an innovative charity event ‘Press Ganged!’ to help raise vital funds to support vulnerable children and young people in the North East.

On Thursday 20th March, Nick will be press ganged for NCH, the children’s charity and will spend 3 hours on board The Fortuna, a leisure vessel run by River Escapes from the Quayside in Newcastle.

Whilst on board, cruising to the mouth of the River Tyne and back, he will be tasked to collect pledges from friends, family and colleagues to help him raise a £3000 target to buy his ‘pardon’ and release from service! He will enjoy refreshments including a buffet lunch provided courtesy of Greggs the Bakers.

On preparing for his experience, Nick said, "I think it's crucial that businesses in this region lend their support to initiatives and programmes which benefit the North East and improve the lives and opportunities available to young people in the area.

This is precisely why I and ZebraHosts were happy to lend our support to the Press Ganged event. The work of NCH is vital in supporting children who are growing up in areas of deprivation or with little access to the opportunities we afford to our own children. It's so important that NCH receives our help to enable them to continue their work."

The event is based on 18th-Century press gangs that operated throughout the UK to recruit men to serve in the navy at a time when volunteers were in short supply.

Nick is raising funds for the NCH’s year long ‘Growing Strong’ appeal which aims to raise over £400k to fund services that will help build the emotional wellbeing of disadvantaged children and young people across the region. If you would like to join him and take part in the event, contact the NCH Fundraising office on 01325 308180

You can help children grow strong, email growingstrongnorth@nch.org.uk for information about forthcoming Appeal activities in the North East area. To donate or support NCH call 01325 308180 or write to ‘NCH Growing Strong Appeal’, River Court, Brighouse Road, Riverside Park, Middlesbrough. Please make cheques payable to ‘NCH’.

Donating

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: NCH, the children's charity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.