Business as usual at the Foundation
Sep 26 2007 by Chloe Griffiths, The Journal
IT’S business as usual at the Northern Rock Foundation as they announced a series of grants to tackle disadvantage in the region yesterday.
The charity, which is independent from the bank but is funded by its pre-tax profits, showed it was unaffected by the current uncertainty surrounding the North-East firm by revealing the latest round of recipients for its grants.
The funds will benefit a string of organisations committed to improving the quality of life in the North-East and Cumbria.
And this round’s beneficiaries include community groups, charities which provide training for disadvantaged young people and services for people with mental health problems.
Yesterday bosses from those organisations receiving funds told how the grants highlighted the importance of the Northern Rock.
They urged people to continue to support the beleaguered bank to ensure not only its survival and the future of its employers, but also the positive impact it had on scores of charities and community groups across the region.
The Community Work Assessment Consortium for the North-East – a group which provides training and support for volunteer community workers across the region – received £13,000.
Company secretary Dick Ellison said: “It’s crucial the Northern Rock survives. Northern Rock has become an important funding source for communities across the North-East. It is absolutely crucial that sort of benefactor is recognised for all the good work it does.
“So many groups benefit from the support of the Foundation, and not only that but the Rock is also invaluable in the status it brings to the regional identity.”
The latest small grants – awards under £20,000 – total £55,548. So far this year, the Foundation has handed out more than 200 grants – totalling £15.9m with another round of grants expected in October.
Foundation chairman Alastair Balls said: “I’m delighted to announce these latest grants. So often attention is drawn to the big awards we make, but these smaller grants are equally important, helping to support local activities and services in some of the region’s most disadvantaged communities.
“In recent weeks we have received a huge amount of support from the voluntary sector in our area, and I’m happy to say that it’s business as usual at the Foundation as we carry on our grant-making, while waiting to see what the longer-term future holds.”
Other groups to benefit yesterday’s included Northumbria Youth Action, which will receive £20,000 to help young people develop skills and get a job, Voluntary Action Cumbria which helps individuals in rural areas and mental health charity Mind in Cumbria.
Since the Foundation was formed in 1997, more than £175m has been given to good causes across the region.
