NSCG’s Charity Auction Helps The Macari Foundation with Over £7,000 Raised
Businesses and Community Come Together for a Worthy Cause with a Pizza and Prosecco Event
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) held its much-anticipated Pizza and Prosecco Charity Auction on 14th February 2025, delivering an evening of generosity, entertainment, and celebration. Hosted at NSCG’s Performing Arts Centre, the event successfully raised £7,192 to support The Macari Foundation, a local charity dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness.
Special guest and founder of the charity, former footballer and Stoke City manager Lou Macari, attended the event and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the contributions made towards the cause.
Supporting Apprenticeships and Local Employers
The event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week 2025, offering the perfect platform to highlight the impact of apprenticeship programmes and to celebrate the employers who help nurture the next generation of skilled professionals. As part of the evening’s festivities, an awards ceremony recognised outstanding contributions in various apprenticeship categories.
Jane Tunnicliff, NSCG’s Director of Apprenticeships, reflected on the success of the evening: “The Pizza and Prosecco event was a fantastic way to close National Apprenticeship Week 2025. We have honoured our incredible employer partners who provide opportunities for young people to thrive, and at the same time, we’ve raised a brilliant amount for The Macari Foundation. It’s been an unforgettable night of generosity and celebration!”
An Evening of Fun, Food, and Fundraising
Attendees enjoyed an uplifting and entertaining night, with a performance from Poet Laureate Nick Degg setting the mood. Auctioneer Toby Hall of Leighton Hall Auctions led the charity auction, rallying guests to bid generously on a fantastic selection of donated gifts and experiences. The contributions came from NSCG staff, employer partners, and local businesses, showcasing the community’s strong commitment to supporting both apprenticeships and those in need.
This successful event was made possible thanks to sponsorship from Keele University, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Mounsey Chartered Surveyors, EMS Industries Ltd, KMF Group, Hitachi, and Panda Press.
Celebrating Apprenticeship Excellence
The evening also recognised outstanding achievements in apprenticeship recruitment and development, with awards presented to businesses and individuals demonstrating commitment to workforce development:
Promoting Apprenticeships Recruitment Campaign
Winner: DPC Accountants
Highly Commended: DePe Gear Company Ltd
Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Apprentices
Best Large Employer Winner: Belong
Highly Commended: KMF Group Ltd & F. Ball & Company Ltd
Best SME Winner: Lucideon
Highly Commended: DJH & Commercial Networks Ltd
Best Micro Winner: Appointments Personnel
Highly Commended: The Infirmary Hair & Beauty
Outstanding Apprentice Mentor and Champion
Winner: Bethany Davies, DPC Accountants
Highly Commended: Grace Williams, The Hex Group
For more information about apprenticeship opportunities at NSCG, visit: NSCG Apprenticeships
About NSCG
NSCG is one of Staffordshire’s leading further education providers, with a reputation for academic excellence and strong employer partnerships. Recognised as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, NSCG offers a diverse range of courses, including A-Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and higher education programmes.
With state-of-the-art campuses and £90 million invested in modern facilities over the past decade, the college provides an exceptional learning environment where students are supported to achieve their full potential. In 2024, NSCG continued to lead in university progression, with 1,167 students securing places at 98 different institutions.