Each year we select nominated charities to support. In 2020, we chose Papyrus and Tommy’s as our nominated charities for the year. However, due to the effects of Covid-19, we carried on supporting them during 2021 as well.

During the pandemic PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide saw a 25% increase in the number of calls, texts and emails to the charity’s confidential HOPELINEUK service.

Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to McDermotts for the generous donation which will help us to continue giving hope to young people who are struggling with life.

“Donations help to pay for potentially life-saving calls, texts and emails to our confidential HOPELINEUK service, which offers support and advice to young people and anyone who is worried about a young person who may be having thoughts of suicide.

“Funding also helps PAPYRUS to engage with local communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects and supports the training we deliver to individuals and groups, equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

“We believe that many young suicides are preventable and together we can all help to keep our communities suicide-safe.”

From a campaign that began in a spare cupboard in St Thomas’ Hospital, Tommy’s is now the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and neonatal death.

Tommy’s is the largest pregnancy charity in the UK. They are very proud that over 90% of their income comes from voluntary donations from their committed supporters and partnerships with charitable trusts, foundations and companies. They are dedicated to making the UK the safest place in the world to give birth.

Pollyanna Noonan, Corporate Partnerships Officer said: “On behalf of all of us at Tommy’s, we wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone at McDermotts for your incredible support over the last year. Your generous donations, especially despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, mean the world to us and your dedication to fundraising is admirable.

“It’s because of people like you that we were able to be there for women and families during the pandemic when they needed us the most. £20,000 could fund our midwife-led information service for 6 months, providing worried mums-to-be with reassurance and trustworthy health information. This is a phenomenal donation and will make a huge difference to so many women and families. We’re so delighted to have had the opportunity to work with McDermotts, thank you for helping us save babies’ lives.”

Our Managing Director, Malcolm McDermott, said “Supporting charities has always been a big part of McDermotts. We hope these donations will make a big difference to the projects and people Papyrus and Tommy’s support.”

To find out more about Papyrus and what they do, visit their website.

To find out more about Tommy’s and what they do, visit their website.