Anglo American staff have chosen the three local organisations who will benefit from the company’s annual charity donation initiative. Saint Catherine’s Hospice, Scarborough Mates and Yorkshire Air Ambulance will receive funds from the safety-driven Great Days Programme, an internal campaign to drive safe and responsible working practices and behaviours.

Every January, the company’s staff are asked to vote for their favourite local charity, with the three most popular nominated as the company’s beneficiaries for the year. Anglo American staff will also be encouraged to volunteer with the organisations. Almost £100,000 has been distributed to local charities from the programme over the last two years.

Susan Stephenson, Communications and Marketing Manager at Saint Catherine’s Hospice, who provide care and support at home and in the hospice for adults with a terminal illness, said: “We’re thrilled that Anglo American staff have voted for us and wanted to help Saint Catherine’s in this way.

“We can only do what we do with the support of our local community and we would like to thank everyone at Anglo American for their support.”

Scarborough Mates are a new group who try and prevent social isolation and loneliness in older people. Chairman Iain Hale said: “This funding will make such a huge difference to Scarborough Mates.

“We had 17 members in June, and we are now up to 50. We’re offering a lifeline to some of our members; it’s so important for us to help them feel like the world hasn’t left them behind and forgotten about them, and this funding will really help us achieve that.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance will again benefit from Great Days funding, having received over £30,000 in the last two years. Rob Scott, East Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, added: “We would like to thank Anglo American for their continued support and generosity and for choosing us as one of their 2022 charities of the year.

“It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air; the money raised by Anglo American over the years has provided tremendous support, and has helped us spread the word about the vital work we do in the region.”