Surrey Young People’s Fund Receives Generous Legacy Gift from Local Resident

The Surrey Young People’s Fund has received a remarkable donation thanks to the generosity of the late Howard Cobb, a long-standing resident of West Horsley.

Howard Cobb

Howard, who passed away earlier this year, lived in West Horsley for over 40 years, having grown up nearby. A retired financial services professional, he was a well-known figure in the local community. He was a passionate gardener until ill health forced him to stop, and he had a deep love of cinema, amassing an impressive DVD collection over the years.

Although Howard never married or had children, his cousin remembered his strong desire to support disadvantaged children and young people in the local area. She therefore reached out to the Community Foundation for Surrey and we were honoured to help facilitate a donation in Howard’s memory to support the Surrey Young People’s Fund—a cause close to his heart.

About the Surrey Young People’s Fund

Established in 2014, the Surrey Young People’s Fund provides vital grants to individuals aged 16–25 living in Surrey. The fund supports young people to progress toward their goals in education, training, apprenticeships, or employment. A panel of dedicated volunteers with a passion for empowering youth carefully assess and award each grant.

In 2024/25, demand for the fund reached an all-time high, with over 100 grants awarded—reflecting the increasing financial hardship faced by many young people. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis continues to disproportionately affect those already experiencing disadvantage. In Surrey, this is seen in rising numbers of Universal Credit claimants and school pupils eligible for free school meals. These economic pressures are also contributing to growing mental health and wellbeing challenges among young people.

Supporting Young People to Succeed

Over the past year, the Surrey Young People’s Fund has helped young people overcome financial barriers by providing support for:

• Equipment and tools for vocational courses including catering, hair and beauty, mechanics, and photography.

• Online learning, such as beauty and nail technician courses, and support for GCSE English and Maths.

• Work and training clothing, including interview attire and safety gear for construction roles.

• Course and exam fees for a range of qualifications including CBT, GCSEs, SIA and CSCS certifications.

• Travel costs, with funding for travel cards and bikes to help young people access college and work placements.

This generous donation in memory of Howard Cobb ensures the Fund can continue to meet rising demand and provide life-changing support to even more young people across Surrey.

Community Foundation for Surrey Chief Executive, Beccy Bowden says:

 “It is always a particular pleasure to help those wishing to give an in memory or legacy gift as their gift will continue to help the intended beneficiaries for many, many years to come, and thus serves as a very special reminder of the person who has sadly passed away. In this particular case, Howard’s gift will continue to provide support to young people who need help to make their way in the world– through education, training or employment – what a great way to remember him by!”.

The Chair of Surrey Young People’s Fund, Nick Brooks, says:

 “Without the generosity of wonderful donors across Surrey we would not be able to help young people encountering disadvantage move forward into training and work. This wonderful gesture by Howard Cobb’s family on his behalf will enable our work to support young people fulfil their undoubted potential and achieve their dreams. We wholeheartedly thank his family in enabling his legacy to be put to such practical use.”

This is what one of last year’s grant recipients had to say – “I just wanted to confirm that I’ve received the next grant and sincerely thank you and your team for all the support this academic year. Without your help, I would have really struggled to keep up with my studies. I’m truly grateful for everything, and I hope to contribute to the community in a meaningful way once I complete my studies. Thanks again!”

For those who want to help, CFSurrey is able to receive donations via Enthuse and direct bank transfer.