Eastgate in Bloom Raises £2,000 for Teesside Hospice During International Women’s Week
Eastgate Engineering’s inaugural Eastgate in Bloom event raised £2,000 for Teesside Hospice while celebrating women in engineering, business, and the local community.
Held on Friday, 6 March 2026 at Bloom Show Hall & Eaterie, the women-only event welcomed more than 60 attendees from across the engineering, energy, manufacturing, and business sectors to mark International Women’s Week with a day of connection, empowerment, and fundraising.
A Space for Connection, Representation, and Purpose
The Eastgate in Bloom event was created to provide a supportive environment where women could connect, share experiences, and celebrate their achievements while also raising funds for a vital local cause.
Although Eastgate Engineering CEO David Brennan did not attend in order to respect the women-only nature of the event, his message was shared with attendees by Abbie King.
In his statement, David highlighted the importance of recognising women’s contributions across industries and society:
“51% of our population is women, but 100% of our population is born to women.”
He also praised the strong turnout and the impact of the day:
“It certainly turned out to be very well attended, and this will be a great annual event to give women the space to be represented during International Women’s Week while also making a positive impact locally where it really matters.”
Inspiring Speakers and Fundraising for a Vital Cause
The afternoon combined fundraising activities with inspiring conversations, offering attendees both practical advice and meaningful networking opportunities.
Guests heard empowering insights from guest speakers Rebecca Dale and Ruth Smith, who shared perspectives on confidence, wellbeing, and personal empowerment.
Attendees also enjoyed:
A charity raffle with prizes donated by local businesses
Bloom Salon experiences, including wellness treatments
Networking opportunities with women from across regional industries
All proceeds from the raffle and activities were donated to Teesside Hospice, helping support its essential services for people and families across the Teesside region.
Supporting Female-Owned Local Businesses
A key part of the event’s success was the support of several female-owned local suppliers, whose contributions added creativity and warmth to the afternoon.
These included:
Layered by Ell, led by Ella Murphy, who provided handcrafted cakes and cupcakes
The Posy Patch, owned by Samantha Blakemore, who created elegant floral arrangements
Mariposa Beauty, run by Roxana Malinci, offering gel manicures and hand massages throughout the event
In addition, 20 female-led businesses across the region donated raffle prizes, demonstrating strong community support for the initiative and for Teesside Hospice.
Contributors included:
Born to Dance Studio
Rise Reformer Pilates
The Bod Squad Middlesbrough
Nola Wellness
Sacred Serenity
Lumora Healing
Manna Organic
Calm Mind Collective
Baked by Beth
Their generosity played a significant role in helping the event raise £2,000 for the hospice.
Eastgate in Bloom Set to Return in 2027
Eastgate in Bloom was created with one hope in mind: that every woman who walked through those doors felt recognised, valued, and reminded of the strength and brilliance she already carries. Seeing the community rally to raise £2,000 for Teesside Hospice made the day even more meaningful.
Following the success of the inaugural event, Eastgate in Bloom will return next year with plans to expand capacity and introduce an even broader programme designed to uplift and support women across the region.
Read more about Eastgate in Bloom in the Tee’s Business article here.
About Eastgate Engineering
Eastgate Engineering is a Teesside-based multidisciplinary engineering and construction organisation delivering high-quality solutions across multiple sectors.
Beyond its engineering expertise, the company is committed to building a culture of representation, inclusion, and advocacy, including supporting conversations around women’s health, workplace equality, and community impact.
Through initiatives like Eastgate in Bloom, Eastgate continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting local communities and causes that make a tangible difference.
