Elmbridge Community Fund supports Cobham based youth project

13th May 2016

The Elmbridge Community Fund, launched in January 2015 has awarded its third grant to the Cobham based SAY Youth Club. A grant of £2,400 has supported the club’s expansion to support older teenagers.

Elmbridge Community Fund panel member, Dominic Raab MP for Esher and Walton and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) presented representatives from SAY Youth Club with the grant cheque at an event promoting the local Fund at the House of Commons.

The grant will enable the Youth Group to expand their programme to provide weekly activities for teenagers in a safe environment, away from the streets, which can for some, ultimately lead to danger to themselves and crime.

Dominic Raab MP explains

We are delighted to have supported such a worthwhile local project and are excited by the huge potential of the Fund to support more and more local community and voluntary groups in the future.

Elmbridge Community Fund Panel Chair Richard Waller explains,

Although Elmbridge is often perceived as a universally wealthy borough there are pockets of very real disadvantage and many people need extra support. The Elmbridge Community Fund works with existing charities and community groups to provide a simple way for local residents to support local communities in need.

This is a permanent fund that will grow over time. Founding donors have already come together to establish the fund and supported us to award our first three grants. Now we are seeking others to come forward to build the fund further.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Surrey said

By maximising Gift Aid your donation to the Elmbridge Community Fund can go further to support even more people, providing a very effective way supporting the local community.

Community Foundation for Surrey grant funds Waverley Hoppa Community Transport

A grant of £4,400 from by the Community Foundation’s Haslemere Challice Community Fund and also the Thomas Trust Fund has supported the Waverley Hoppa Community Transport service to continue to provide accessible and affordable community transport service for people living in rural areas of Waverley.

Hoppa is a lifeline for many older residents and people who are isolated, have a disability or mobility difficulties, a low income or find it difficult to use public transport. This recent grant will ensure the vital service continues to support local people.

We are delighted to support such an active and important service in Waverley This is about local people supporting other local people. The Community Foundation gives donors a chance to connect with their local area and directly benefit local causes based on their passions and interests; whether that be supporting older people, those with disabilities or local sporting projects.- Wendy Varcoe

Steve Forward, General Manager at hoppa says:

“We were thrilled to hear we had been awarded a grant by the Community Foundation for Surrey. The number of people using hoppa is increasing and this money will help us to continue to provide the personal, door-to-door service upon which so many of our passengers rely.”

Leading Electronics Company steps up to support the Community Foundation for Surrey

The international supplier of customised electronics, acal plc. based in Guildford business park, has signed up to become the first local business to be a Foundation Champion for the Community Foundation for Surrey.

By becoming a Foundation Champion acal will support the local Community Foundation to continue to award more and more grants to help the most vulnerable communities in the county.

The Community Foundation for Surrey is an independent charitable trust established 10 years ago to inspire local giving for local need. Since 2005 over £5.6 million has been awarded in grants to local voluntary groups, community projects, and individuals across Surrey.

David Frank, the Community Foundation’s Chairman said

We are delighted to have acal on board as the first corporate Foundation Champion. Support from local businesses like acal is crucial for us to continue to provide professional donor services and award an ever increasing number of grants. We would like to thank acal for their generous support and desire to help projects across Surrey which are making such a difference to people’s lives.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, said

This is about local people supporting other local people. We are excited to have such an exciting local business support the work we do. The Foundation has continued to build year on year and support of businesses such as acal, enables us to continue with our ambitious plans to help even more of Surrey’s communities going forward.

Community Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of Local Philanthropy

The Community Foundation for Surrey was delighted to celebrate its 10th Anniversary at a special event for donors and supporters at Ramster Hall on 28th April, kindly sponsored by Investec Wealth & Investment and Barlow Robbins Solicitors.

Guests enjoyed a drinks reception and sit down meal and heard from Chairman, David Frank and Executive Director Wendy Varcoe who thanked donors and supporters for their extraordinary support, discussed the Foundations progress to date and shared exciting future plans.

Joe Crome from Leatherhead Youth Project explained how grants from the Community Foundation’s donors have supported the local charity to grow from strength to strength.

Founding Chairman and Vice President Patrick Dowling closed the evening with a toast to the future and the next 10 years of local philanthropy.

Over the past 10 years Surrey families, businesses, trusts and individuals have been inspired to come together and invest in their local communities now and for generations to come and grants have supported projects across the width of community need.

Since establishing the Foundation has built permanent community resources totaling just under £10 million and awarded nearly £6 million in grants. In the year 2015-16 alone over £1 million was awarded in grants to local communities across the county.

David Frank, the Community Foundation’s Chairman said

This is a fantastic milestone for the Community Foundation. We would like to thank all our donors for their continuing support, generosity and desire to help projects across Surrey which are making such a difference to people’s lives.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, said

This is about local people supporting other local people. The Foundation has continued to build year on year and we have ambitious plans to help even more of Surrey’s communities going forward.

Surrey Hills Challenge to raise money for local Communities

The Surrey Hills Challenge is set to be one of the biggest sporting challenges in Surrey next year with a series of running and walking events in the beautiful landscape of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on Sunday 25th September 2016.

People of all ages and fitness can participate in four different running and walking challenges and raise money for local communities.

The Greensand Way will form the backdrop to the event where the super fit can face the ultimate challenge with ‘The Ultra’, a 60km run, ‘The Half’, no ordinary walk (or run) in the park of 21km, ‘The Ten’, a fast and furious 10km or ‘The Five’, a family challenge 5km event.

The challenges start in Haslemere, passes the Devil’s Punchbowl at Hindhead, traverses the main Surrey hills of Hascombe, Pitch, Holmbury and Leith Hill, before descending north to Dorking. Much of the route is rolling hills, woodland trails, fields and footpaths providing participants with glorious views.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Surrey explains;

“This is a fantastic event for people of all ages and fitness levels to walk or run the Surrey Hills and support local communities and people in Surrey. By taking part in the Challenge you will be helping others in our local communities and supporting this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Chairman of the Surrey Hills Trust Fund, Neil Maltby comments;

“The Surrey Hills Trust Fund is delighted to have been chosen as one of the beneficiaries for the Surrey Hills Challenge event. Money raised will go into local projects with a focus on conserving the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), from clearing viewpoints and restoring landscape features to enhancing the ecology and biodiversity of the area to educating younger audiences and local communities on the special qualities and importance of the Surrey Hills. Your support of this event will help to safeguard this beautiful area for future generations”.

The event will raise funds for the Community Foundation for Surrey, and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund, established to help local projects and community groups within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Those raising funds by participating in the Surrey Hills Challenge will enable the Trust Fund to help local projects conserving the AONB and support the people who live, work and enjoy the area.

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Rutland Management Ltd comments;

“We are delighted to be working with the Community Foundation for Surrey and the Surrey Hills to deliver an event that will not only raise funds for local communities, but highlight and help preserve the beautiful countryside we are so lucky to have on our doorstep. Everyone participating in the Surrey Hills Challenge will not only take away memories of a challenge they’ll never forget but leave a lasting legacy through their fundraising.”

The Surrey Hills Challenge will take place on Sunday 25th September 2016. Registration fees per person for ‘The Ultra’ (60km) is £80, ‘The Half’(21km) £35, ‘The Ten’ (10km) £25 and ‘The Five’ (5km) £15. A booking fee of £2 per registration is applicable. The event is open to everyone. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Epsom & Ewell Community Fund awards its first grants

The Epsom & Ewell Community Fund has supported four inspiring local community projects in its first round of grant awards.

The grants have funded local charities and community groups based within Epsom and Ewell to help vulnerable people access training, conserve the local environment, support local homeless people and help disadvantaged young people access sport.

A grant of £1,000 supported the Richmond Fellowship to expand their Old Moat Garden Centre Café in Epsom to help more people gain work experience and training. The project offers people with mental health problems, the opportunity to enrol in training and work experience programmes in a realistic, commercial, but supportive environment.

Another grant of £500 to the Epsom Common Association has helped this volunteer led group to continue their project converting timber from local conservation activities into charcoal. By continuing this ancient craft, the project minimises environmental impact, promotes sustainable practices and uses the sale of the charcoal to fund further nature conservation on Epsom Common.

Other grants awarded include:

– £900 to The Meeting Room to support a drop in centre for homeless and marginalized people in Epsom & Ewell

– £900 to Epsom and Ewell Colts Youth Football Club to fund subsidised places for young people to play football

Founder of the Epsom & Ewell Community Fund, Mayor, Councillor Chris Frost explains

We are delighted to award our first grants to such inspirational groups working across the Borough. This Fund provides a permanent source of funding for local people; run by local people, who care about Epsom & Ewell.

A number of local businesses and individuals, including Epsom Coaches and the Rolf Charitable Trust, have been quick to see the benefits of the Fund and already signed up as founding donors.

Melanie Cox, Epsom Coaches Group and Fund Panel Member explained

“This fund provides the perfect way for our staff to give back to the local area and be involved in the grant making process, I am delighted this was elected by our team as our chosen charity to support this year and would recommend other local companies join us in supporting the Fund.”

Community Foundation chosen as one of Barlow Robbins featured charities to benefit from their Summer Concert Series

We are delighted the Community Foundation has been chosen as one of Barlow Robbins featured charities to benefit from their Summer Bergamasca Concert Series featuring: Bergamasca Baroque Ensemble.

Join us on Thursday 16th June, 7.30pm at Loseley House, Guildford for beautiful music from 17th and 18th century Europe performed by Bergamasca.

Tickets are now on sale and all proceeds will go to support the Community Foundation for Surrey.

Play equipment for Horsleys youngest residents

11th May 2016

A grant of £600 supported Puddleducks Playgroup to purchase new soft play equipment, toys, dressing up clothes and craft supplies to provide higher quality and more exciting play experiences for West Horsley’s youngest residents. The new equipment enables Puddleducks to offer more varied activities, encouraging existing members to return and appealing to new parents and carers to attend the group, giving them the opportunity to socialise, reduce isolation and make friends within the local community.

Puddleducks are absolutely delighted with our grant from the Horsleys Community Fund. It will make such a difference to all the children, parents and carers to have new, exciting toys and activities during playgroup. We can’t wait to share the news with everyone! – Chairperson, Alicia Grainger

Puddleducks has been running as a local playgroup in West Horsley for over 30 years. A minimal charge is made by parents which covers some costs but the group relies on donations for toys and books and, as a result, much of the equipment is now very old, worn, broken or with missing pieces.

For many parents Puddleducks is a lifeline, and provides them with regular peer support from other parents and the opportunity to make lasting friendships. They regularly welcome new parents who have recently moved into the village, and the group can really help them to become a part of the local community.

Horsleys Community Fund supports local residents stay active and healthy

9th May 2016

In 2014, David Bampfylde suffered a severe stroke which left him paralysed down the whole of his right side and unable to speak clearly. Having been very active and traveled widely in his life, to be wheel chair bound, unable to drive and suddenly very reliant on his wife, Katia, was not where he wanted to be.

After nine months in hospital, considerable effort was made to transform his house to accommodate his needs. This has drawn heavily on their own financial resources even with the help of Social Services with the provision of disability equipment, David became somewhat house bound.

Mike Rushby, a near neighbour of David’s, heard of his plight and suggested to the Horsley Community Fund that they might be able to help. The need was for a specialised swivel car seat which could be retrofitted into their existing car. And so The Horsley Community Fund together with the Rotary Club of Bookham & Horsley combined to make a major contribution towards the new swivel seat. Supplied and fitted by Mountside Mobility of Guildford, it makes it easy for David to transfer from the wheel chair to the car.

So now he is ready to start travelling again, not only to satisfy any medical appointments but also to go to the seaside and beyond!

Author Archives: Akiko Design

Elmbridge Community Fund supports Cobham based youth project

Community Foundation for Surrey grant funds Waverley Hoppa Community Transport

Leading Electronics Company steps up to support the Community Foundation for Surrey

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