Seaham, County Durham-based MetroMail, which prints a variety of direct marketing for Sunderland-based Grace House and then mails it to its supporters two to three times per year, has just completed the latest job for the charity.

MetroMail's support for Grace House, which offers short break respite and care for young children, goes back more than five years.

Grace House senior fundraiser Karen Maclennan said: “Without MetroMail’s support we would have been restricted when sending out mailings and communicating with our supporters.

“MetroMail’s provision has enabled us to keep our supporters updated about current fundraising appeals, campaigns and about the services we provide.”

MetroMail managing director Chris Pygall told PrintWeek: “I think Grace House benefit from the quality product that we produce for them, it’s a very professional pack. It’s not a big job for us but it’s critically important for them to get the exposure that they need.”

The business, which employs more than 200 local people, believes it is essential to support the local community, Pygall said.

“We get involved with a number of charities, there is some sort of charitable activity every month.

“It’s massively important to interact with the local community because we need to be seen as a key and good employer in the region so we attract good people when we need new staff.

“It’s quite a high unemployment area and we’re a big employer in the region and want to be seen as the right sort of business to come and work for.”

MetroMail has a turnover of £14m and operates from a 13,000sqm site. It runs a wide range of kit from manufacturers including Canon, Pitney Bowes, Buhrs and Sitma.

In July the business held its second health and wellbeing event at its premises, as part of the North East Better Health at Work Award.