Since moving to Brentwood in 2011 the labels and flexible packaging specialist has been making regular donations to local charities and good causes. With the launch of the Bakers Foundation in 2023, the company said its commitment to support its local community has been elevated to the extent that it has now donated over over £500,000 to good causes.
Its summer donations distributed in August have totalled £62,000 and followed £44,000 in Easter donations which, along with several other ad hoc donations through the year, brings the 2024 total so far to £151,310.
Bakers managing director Steve Baker said: “I’m immensely proud that we are in a position to be able to continually support charities in our community. It’s really important to me that the legacy of the Bakers Foundation will continue to do good for as long as the company maintains success.”
Kirsty Dailly, PR and marketing manager, added: “It’s always such an amazing feeling to be able to provide donations to charities we have supported for many years, and to continue to build our relationships with their teams. It’s also a privilege to hear from new charities that can benefit from the Bakers Foundation.”
She said local charities that would like to apply for a grant from the Bakers Foundation can email kirsty.dailly@bakerlabels.co.uk.
Charities supported this summer have included Snap, Wipe Away Those Tears, Kids Inspire, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Challenging MND, POD Children’s Charity, Young Lives vs Cancer, Brentwood Foodbank, Marillac Neurological Care Centre, and Billericay Foodbank.
Kim Mangelshot, fundraising and engagement manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, thanked the company for its ongoing support with a £2,000 donation from the Baker Foundation.
“This will make an incredible impact! The donation will help to support the costs of families staying at Paul’s House, our dedicated ‘home from home’ in London.
“£2,000 could cover over one month’s stay for a family at Paul’s House to save them the time, money and energy expended to travel to London, whilst their child is facing treatment for cancer.”
Liesbeth Newman, fundraising and partnership Manager at Marillac Neurological Care Centre, also commented: “Baker Labels’ generous support will be instrumental in delivering projects which enhance resident comfort, wellbeing, and independence.
“The Marillac Neurological Care Centre provides specialist care and treatment for 52 residents with complex neurological conditions. Neurological injuries and conditions can have devastating, life-long impacts on anyone – it only takes a few seconds for a life to be completely knocked off course.
“Our residents are adapting to an uncertain future, relearning what they can achieve and resetting their lifegoals.”
Stuart Gibbs, trustee at Billericay Foodbank, also thanked Bakers for its support: “We have had a significant drop off in donations in the last six months which means we are currently spending £500-£1,000 per week on food, so donations like this are both incredibly generous and encouraging for us.
“One family we have helped this week gave us this feedback: ‘dear all at Billericay Foodbank, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Last night was the first night I have slept all the way through without my stomach growling, I can’t even express my gratitude, I really had given up hope. Once again, I am truly, truly grateful to the guy who dropped it off and for you doing this. God bless you’.”
This summer, 112-staff Bakers, which turns over £16m, signed two major deals at Drupa – for kit from HP and Durst – that represented nearly £2.25m worth of investment, and took delivery of a second Galaxy Packtech pouch maker to continue to expand and increase pouch conversion options for its customers.
