You did it: you raised over £30,000 in our 30th anniversary year
In our 30th anniversary year, we set ourselves a goal: raise £30,000 to support local communities across County Durham and Tees Valley.
Over the last 12 months, our supporters have raised £31,334 through two special anniversary fundraising campaigns.
38.7 Miles in July
In July 2025, in partnership with CCLA, we launched our first ever community fundraising challenge: 38.7 Miles in July.
The number was chosen for a stark and sobering reason. 38.7% of children in County Durham and Tees Valley are growing up in poverty. We hoped this would inspire people to support us in whatever way they could.
And people did! They walked, ran, hiked, cycled, swam and danced their way through July, individually and in teams, raising £16,782 for communities across our region.
Many of the people who took part had no previous connection to Point North and we’re so pleased to welcome new supporters, people who care about County Durham and Tees Valley.
"The challenge introduced us to new people across County Durham and Tees Valley who care deeply about this region. They don't want to see working families struggling with the essentials, or older people feeling isolated in their communities.
They want everyone here to have a fair chance at a full, healthy life, and the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families."
Read more about the 38.7 Miles in July Challenge and the people who joined in.
Glimmers of Hope
Later in the year, we launched Glimmers of Hope, a winter match funding appeal taking its name from our Lumiere Durham commission, Glimmer (pictured above), by artist Laura Brenchley.
Laura created hundreds of handmade lanterns with local people, each carrying a message, a memory or a hope, and it was that same spirit of small actions making a big difference that helped us hit our target.
Our match funding encouraged donors to share the appeal with friends, as more people donate more match funding is raised. Thanks to the collective generosity of Point North donors we raised £14,551, taking us past our anniversary target.
With, not for, local communities
Since 1995 we’ve always put communities at the heart of everything we do – listening, responding, adapting, valuing local knowledge and expertise – all so we can direct funds where they can have the most impact.
Our 30th year fundraising took that same approach, bringing people together to support communities, and each other. So whether you’re cycling 38.7 miles or creating a piece of art, you’re making a difference.
The two campaigns for our 30th year raised £31,334.49. These funds are distributed as grants to projects and community groups that bring warmth, connection and joy to local people.
It could be community classes and school holiday meals for children, support for young people in developing their skills and confidence, projects that combat loneliness or isolation or that empower people to get into work – you can be sure we’re directing funds to the places they can make the most difference to people in County Durham and Tees Valley.
Thank you
Over our 30 years we’ve distributed more than £75 million to projects fighting poverty, enriching lives, creating opportunities and strengthening communities across County Durham and Tees Valley.
Reaching this fundraising target allows us to keep doing that. It reflects the generosity of everyone who donated, fundraised, shared the campaigns or cheered others on.
Thank you to everyone who took part and helped us mark 30 years of fighting poverty and enriching lives.
Go to Real Stories to read about the types of projects your donations allow us to support in County Durham and Tees Valley.
