Groups bank slice of £115k charitable fund

THREE groups in Stratford-upon-Avon have banked a share of a £115,000 pot of cash from the Heart of England Community Foundation.

The Foundation manages a range of funds on behalf of companies and trusts across the area, and awards that money to groups and organisations who make a lasting difference to their community.

Among the recipients of the first round of 2016 grants are Bidford Community Library, which has got £1,000 to buy new equipment, the Stratford-based Lifespace Trust, which has got £500 to train volunteer mentors, and the Henley-based Warwickshire Wheelchair Basket Ball Academy, which has got £2,800 to buy new equipment.

Also among the recipients of money were Warwick Sea Cadets and a Painting for Pleasure project in Warwick.

The Heart of England Community Foundation has its roots in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull, but now also delivers funds across Birmingham and the Black Country too. Among the organisations whose charitable funds the Foundation manages are Orbit Heart of England, and the Coventry Building Society Community Fund.

Tina Costello, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “We were delighted to award so many grants to groups across the region. “Some of them amount to less than £500, but it’s great to see the very lasting and positive difference they make to the individual groups.

“It really is about funding groups and organisations that might, otherwise, not get the funding they need and, with a bit of support, they can make a very positive difference to their local community.

“The companies and organisations for whom we manage funds are always really interested to see where the money goes in their local area and how the communities benefit and it’s great to have been able to award such a substantial overall amount in the first quarter of 2016.”

To apply for grants, see www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk