Ardonagh Community Trust grant winners announced for Q3 2019
Every quarter, ACT awards community grants up to the value of £5000, to charities and causes close to the hearts of employees across the Group.
This week the ACT board of trustees gathered to review all applications and were once again faced with the difficult choice of selecting the Q3 grant recipients.
The applications were all strong examples of how our colleagues are passionately involved with community and charity projects they care about. The money granted will allow the following five charities and causes to continue their great work for communities and individuals in need.
Edlington ASC Stingrays
Submitted by Gemma Baldwin, URIS
Edlington ASC are a community swimming club mainly used by children from the Balby, Edlington and Conisbrough districts of Doncaster. The club helps children take a positive interest in sport which in turn prevents them from getting into trouble on the streets. As the club is run solely by volunteers, including Gemma, they rely on money from parents to operate. There are many costs associated with this which means there is little left to maintain and improve the equipment used by the swimmers.
Currently, they time their laps manually, however by upgrading this equipment times would be taken as they leave the diving blocks and for the full length of their race or swim. This will then be digitally displayed on the timing board allowing the swimmers to further improve their time.
A grant of £3,000 will help them purchase this much needed equipment to put them on par with other clubs in the local area and benefit the current and future members of the club.
Diamond Families CIC
Submitted by Donna Sturge, Autonet
For the last six years, Diamond families have worked closely with children and adults who suffer with their emotional and mental health and are passionate about working with children from all walks of life and assist in giving them the best possible chance of success.
Recently, they have opened their very own therapeutic farm and wellbeing centre which allows children to benefit from the therapeutic effects that the animals bring whilst working on their own emotional and mental health. The impact this has had on their students has been amazing and they are keen to continue this work and help more children through this programme.
As the British weather can be unpredictable, to allow them to run this programme year-round, they want to build a classroom as well as a sheltered area for their ponies and donkeys. The stable and field shelters will also give the students a dedicated petting area where they can carry out animal therapy sessions with the ponies. Donna has supported the charity with their social media, marketing and fundraising ideas and is passionate about this continuing to be a success.
A grant of £4,562 will help them to construct a classroom and field shelter to help the project grow and support more children throughout the seasons.
Endeavour Project – for people and their pets
Submitted by Tasneem Patel, Swinton
The Endeavor Project provides a safe place for adults and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, offering counselling, advice, advocacy and also a fostering service for pets. Endeavour also help people find safe housing and assist in furnishing their new homes using donations from members of the charity.
Tasneem's aunt is one of the counsellors at the centre and supports people through their incredibly tough experiences.
At the centre, there is a family/counselling room which is the first place many people will come when seeking help. Tasneem and her team want to help this charity by redecorating to make it a more welcoming and homely space.
A grant of £1,500 will help them to achieve this goal and improve this room for the centre and all those that visit this space.
Willowbrook Hospice
Submitted by Stuart Mayer, Towergate
Willowbrook Hospice in Prescot cares for patients with life limiting diseases living in St Helens, Knowsley and the surrounding areas. They are currently fundraising for their 'Make a Difference' appeal which with the hope to significantly upgrade the facilities at the Hospice.
Their aim is to enhance the quality of life for every individual throughout all stages of their illness and by upgrading the centre, it will improve the comfort of those at the end of their life. One of the key elements of this project is to improve Wi-Fi at the centre to allow patients who are receiving care to keep in contact with their loved ones. The existing Wi-Fi router system is old and not fit for purpose and their current access to NHS Wi-Fi is limited.
A grant of £4,597.07 will help them complete this project and ensure that all other funds raised can go to support the other elements of the revamp.
Be the Best Community
Submitted by Tunde Olasupo, Swinton
Be The Best Community was founded in 2015 by Daniel Sukula who was inspired by the tremendous support his family received from the community of Bolton. In 2005, Daniel's family were issued with a deportation notice and The Home Office refused to grant the family asylum. Their community helped the family achieve asylum and following this kindness, Daniel wanted to give back to the people of Bolton. He launched the youth-based organisation alongside close friend Tunde with the aim to help young people be outstanding and reach their full potential in life and give back to the community.
One of their current aspirational projects 'Be the Change – Drop the Knife' is aimed at reducing knife crime amongst young people in their local area. This programme will encourage young people to understand the dangers and consequences of knife crime and help them build the self-esteem and confidence they need to turn away. Daniel and Tunde are incredibly passionate about this programme having experienced first-hand the devastating effects knife crime can have as their friend was a victim and sadly passed away in 2015.
A grant of £5,000 will help them to complete the first 12-week course and educate 15 young people with the potential to extend this programme following further fundraising.