Fundraising is sweet for Ray

Boosting the fight against leukaemia has a special meaning for first-time businessman Ray Reid. With his partner, managing director Lesley Dempsey, sales and marketing director Mr Reid has invested about £50,000 in launching Sweet Box Ltd, a company based at Tedco Business Centre, Jarrow. Mr Reid, 49, recently lost both his mother, Betty Crollman, and stepfather, Colin Crollman, to lung disease.

So when it came to changing careers, former pub manager Mr Reid thought there was no better business concept than one combining commerce and compassion. The Hebburn-born entrepreneur sells sweets through shops, offices, companies and other large organisations throughout the UK, with 15 per cent from every packet of sweets sold donated to Leukaemia Research, based at Great Ormond Street, London.

Mr Reid said: "Losing my parents to lung disease was the trigger to the business. "Places like St Clare's Hospice had been great with my parents during their illnesses. "I wanted to find a business idea that would make money, but also give something back. "I thought Leukaemia Research was ideal, because it is working to find a cure for the disease. Plus, Lesley's father has a mild form of leukaemia. "There has been a good reaction to the business so far, and we plan to build up the Sweet Box brand name over the next year.

"Our overall aim is to raise £150,000 for Leukaemia Research by next Christmas. "That would mean selling about a million bags of sweets, but I think we can do it." Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn agreed to officially launch Sweet Boxes, which now sells its fundraising sweets at outlets throughout Tyneside, County Durham and in various parts of England, Scotland and Wales. A series of sweet 'honesty' boxes are placed at locations throughout the UK, by individuals representing Sweet Box, with each packet costing £1. Although there is strong competition from the growing charity market, Mr Reid believes his new company offers a quality product, and the best deal for Leukaemia Research.