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Greggs Fund

Ian Gregg OBE helped turn his family’s small Tyneside bakery into a national institution. At the age of 25, he took over the reins of Greggs the Bakers, what has grown to be the UK’s largest retail bakery. He was Managing Director for nearly 20 years, Chairman for 18 years and during that time established The Greggs Foundation, which focuses on relieving social deprivation.

When Ian and his wife, Jane, moved to Cumbria, they set up the Greggs Fund with the community foundation to support Cumbrian projects. The income from the long-term fund contributes to the Cumbria Fund, where donations of all sizes are pooled together to grow this unrestricted fund and respond to the growing needs of local communities by providing much-needed funding to charitable organisations.

Ian said: “We are fortunate to live in Cumbria. But within this beautiful landscape many communities suffer deprivation in one form or another. CCF has the knowledge and experience to make best use of available funds to address some of these issues. We feel our donations are well managed and focused with as much input from us as we chose.”

As Ian states, there are areas in Cumbria where people live in poverty. 1 in 8 households have an income of less than £10,000 a year. People who struggle financially often turn to high interest lenders for help, ending up in more debt. Eden and South Lakeland Credit Union are tackling this issue by providing fair loans and a simple way of saving and received a grant from the Cumbria Fund to establish an outreach office in Kendal town centre.

The outreach office, open three days a week, is a forerunner for a permanent town centre office in Kendal. Since receiving the funding, the credit union has recruited over 50 volunteers. Doug Elsby, Trustee, said: “People are often surprised by the competitive rates on offer and choose one of our loans, knowing the interest paid goes to help those who find credit harder to come by.”

Ian also has a fund with the Community Foundation in Tyne and Wear and advises philanthropists: “Look to work with like-minded people to increase the impact you can have and not to be afraid to step back and let good, competent organisations determine the best use for your giving.”

Double your donations to Winter Warmth Appeal

Older people in Cumbria need your donations this winter so they don’t have to choose between heating and eating.

In a bad winter, 300 older people in Cumbria die due to effects of the cold. The Winter Warmth Appeal, run by Cumbria Community Foundation, collects people’s warm generosity and gives it back out to vulnerable older people to ensure they can heat their homes properly and remain safe and well during the colder months.

Age UK Carlisle & Eden and Age UK South Lakeland have seen an increase in demand for support this winter and have already distributed £45,000, which was raised as part of the Winter Warmth Appeal.

Hannah Kitching, Age UK South Lakeland, said: “The Winter Warmth Fund can be a lifesaver for hundreds of older people. A cold home can be a real danger for many of our vulnerable clients. The extra money the fund provides means that older people no longer have to choose between eating and remaining warm. This is often the sad reality that leads to many avoidable hospital admissions.”

A 73 year old from Windermere doesn’t have to worry about putting the heating on this winter: “The Winter Warmth grant gave me peace of mind, for which I am very grateful. It was the last thing I expected. It will help me in a lot of ways, especially in terms of my health. It makes me feel safer as my house can now be warm, so my joints feel better and I won’t be in as much pain.”

A recipient from Eden said: “I am able to put the heating on during the winter without worrying about the cost. The grant was very useful during the “Beast from the East” in February and March this year.”

A spokesperson for Age UK Carlisle and Eden, said: “The Winter Warmth grant is a godsend to many older people who during the winter are faced with the terrible choice of keeping warm or eating. We deal with many clients who live in remote areas in old properties which do not have insulation and are not on the mains gas network, so they are reliant on expensive types of fuel such as oil or solid fuel”.

Any online donations to the Winter Warmth Appeal this week will be DOUBLED as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2018, which runs from midday on 27 November to midday on 4 December.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign which helps UK-registered charities raise funds for their cause. It offers supporters of participating charities the opportunity to have their DONATION DOUBLED on theBigGive.org.uk website when the campaign goes live at midday on #GivingTuesday, 27 November 2018.

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services and Communications Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “During the last eight years, the Winter Warmth Appeal has raised almost £700,000 – we know Cumbrians are well known for their community spirit. We are calling on their warm generosity again to help us raise even more money this year by doubling their donation during the Christmas Challenge week.”

To make a donation from midday on 27 November to midday on 4 December please click here.

Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday 27 November this year and promotes giving money, time or thanks for charities all across the world.

Music to their ears

Children in west Cumbria have been given the chance to learn an instrument thanks to funding from the Cumbria Community Foundation.

The Carnegie Music Centre received £1,500 from the Lamont Pridmore Fund to encourage youngsters to play music, sing and undertake theory sessions to give them the opportunity to work towards a Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Award.

Students have the chance to take part in the orchestra and choir, and play instruments such as the keyboard, guitar, saxophone, flute and steel drums.

Students also get the opportunity to perform on stage and attend local events.

The sessions are for children aged 8-18 and run by The Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre in Workington every Wednesday between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

The Fund was established by Lamont Pridmore, the leading family-run Cumbrian chartered accountancy firm, and aims to support small voluntary and community groups and organisations, helping them continue to expand their work including advocacy and service provision for people in the Workington area.

 Graham Lamont, Chief Executive of Lamont Pridmore, said: “We are delighted to support the Carnegie Music Centre with this project and create opportunities for young people in Workington to learn a musical instrument, be creative and gain confidence in performing with others. We hope to see many of the students gaining an Arts Award and discovering hidden talents and passions as a result.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at the Foundation, said: “Graham and his team really care about their community. They are a great example for how a local business can support the people around them.”

Funding contributed towards professional music tuition and has helped subsidise the cost to students. The Carnegie Music Centre received a further £3,500 from the Solway Fund and the Shepley Group Fund, also administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.

 To find out more information about the Lamont Pridmore Fund and how to apply, see our grants page or contact the team on 01900 825760.

500 mile charity cycle challenge for Cumbria

Four intrepid cyclists will take on one of the UK’s toughest cycle challenges to raise money for Cumbria Community Foundation.

Dubbed Scotland’s Route 66, the North Coast 500 runs from Inverness, to the Kyle of Lochalsh on the West Coast, via the rugged north coast to John O’Groats, before heading down the east coast, completing the loop in Inverness.

L-R: Andy Beeforth, Richard Lancaster, Steve Aynsley and Simon Peet

Led by Richard Lancaster, head of the Penrith branch of Handelsbanken, the four cyclists aim to complete the journey in six days. Saddling up alongside Richard will be Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Community Foundation, Simon Peet, who up until recently owned Jim Peet (Agriculture) Limited, and Steve Aynsley, Director of Shot2Go.

The team have called themselves The Cumbrian Proclaimers and will cycle a minimum of 80 miles each day and ascend to heights greater than Mount Everest.

Andy Beeforth said: “This is by far the biggest physical challenge I’ve ever taken on. I’ve never ridden 80 miles in a day before, so the thought of doing that day after day for six days is very daunting. I’m hugely grateful to Richard, Simon and Steve for their support. The money raised will boost our grant making in support of some the most disadvantaged people in the county.”

Richard Lancaster said: “This is going to be a real challenge but when you think of the people and communities in Cumbria who will benefit from the money we are raising it makes it all very worthwhile. We really hope sponsors will get behind us to help us reach the target we have set. As a bank who works at the heart of communities throughout Cumbria, Handelsbanken is very proud to continue our support of Cumbria Community Foundation through the challenge of the North Coast 500.”

The four riders have set the ambitious target of raising £20,000 and are self-funding the trip. They have also received sponsorship in the form of reduced cost motorhome hire from GSKMotorhomes, and essential spares and a spare bike, provided by Wheelbase of Staveley.

All money raised will be used to make grants through the Foundation Grants Programme, which awards more than £150,000 each year and has supported activities such as Home to Work’s unemployment project, Carlisle Mencap’s sports development programme, South Lakeland Carers dementia support group, Shap Community CIO’s redevelopment, and support to victims of abuse through The Birchall Trust.

To sponsor the riders, visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/cumbrianproclaimers

To keep up to date with their challenge visit their Facebook page.

Free Funding Training for Groups in Copeland

Free Funding Training for Groups in Copeland

Copeland Community Fund working in partnership with Cumbria CVS, Copeland Community Fund is pleased to offer the following range of FREE fundingtraining sessions- specifically designed to meet the needs of local groups working in or for the benefit of Copeland*:

  • What you need to do to get the funding (half day)
  • Writing Successful Applications (half day)
  • Essential Steps to Successful Funding (two day)

*A max of 2 persons per organisation per session.

 

 What you need to do to get the funding

Essential steps you need to take before applying for funding.

Monday 2 March 2015

10am – 1pm(9.45am arrival; 1pm networking lunch).

Egremont Rugby Union Club, Bleech Green, Egremont CA22 2NL

Tuesday 3 March 2015

6pm – 9pm  (5.30pm for light bites).

Egremont Rugby Union Club, Bleech Green, Egremont CA22 2NL

 

Writing Successful Applications

This session will focus on the key elements of a great funding bid and help you to understand and identify common reasons why applications fail.

Monday 16 March 2015

10am – 1pm  (9.45am arrival; 1pm networking lunch).

Egremont Rugby Union Club, Bleech Green, Egremont CA22 2NL

Tuesday 17 March 2015

6pm – 9pm  (5.30pm for light bites).

Egremont Rugby Union Club, Bleech Green, Egremont CA22 2NL

We recommend that your organisation attends both of theabove sessions to gain full benefit.

 

Essential Steps to Successful Funding

Tuesday 24 March and Wednesday 25 March 2015

10am – 4pm (each day).

Phoenix Enterprise Centre Cleator Moor CA25 2BD

“This course will enable groups to approach funders with confidence. It will help them to better understand and appreciate each essential step of the funding process and write better quality applications.” Simon Cole, Trainer, Cumbria CVS

 

How to Book

A booking form must be completed for each delegate on each course or event.

NEW DATE ANNOUNCED FOR RIVERS RIDE

We have confirmed the new date for the Jennings Rivers Ride will be on Sunday 25th May 2014.  The event was postponed in September due to extremely poor weather conditions. It is hoped that the spring date will ensure a much dryer and enjoyable experience for riders.

All previous entries have been automatically transferred to the new date.  There is still room to accommodate 400 more riders and online entries have now been reopened via www.cumbriafoundation.org/riversride.  There are four routes  to choose from, ranging between ten and seventy five miles and aimed at people of all abilities.  All registration and start times  remain the same.

The event begins and ends in Keswick’s Fitz Park where is also a Family Fun Day taking place throughout the day between 10am and 4pm.  There will be a whole host of activities and entertainment including a raffle with some exciting prizes on offer.  Purchased raffle tickets which have the September date on will still be valid for use in May.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation said: “We did not take the decision lightly to postpone the event in September due to high winds and heavy rain. We knew that some people would be disappointed but rider safety is paramount. I would like to thank all riders for their positive feedback and we look forward to seeing everyone in May.”

The event raises vital funds for CCF and the bike rides reveal some of the UK’s finest scenery and cycling terrain from across the Lake District and out to the Irish Sea.  They follow some of the affected river courses and cross a number of bridges that were damaged or destroyed by the floods.

For more information on the event visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/riversride or contact Nicola Howells on 01900 825760.