Four well-deserving charities in the North East are set to benefit from grants made by the Northumbrian Water Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
The International Community Organisation of Sunderland (ICOS), Fightback (The Society of Disabled Refugee and Asylum Seekers), 2nd Cramlington Scout Group and Changing Lives, have each received a grant of around £1,000.
The money donated by Northumbrian Water will go towards the recruitment of project workers and funding volunteer travel expenses at both ICOS and Fightback.
With their work supported by the water company, ICOS aims to improve the employability prospects of black and minority ethnic communities in Sunderland, while Fightback plan to continue running a range of volunteer-led services, from chat clubs to food parcel deliveries to some of the most deprived communities in Sunderland.
At 2nd Cramlington Scout Group, the money will help fund two garden storage units for small tools and gardening equipment used by the group’s young people, who grow their own vegetables and wildflowers.
Finally, the funding given to Changing Lives will enable them to support 100 individuals across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland by delivering essential food packages.
These donations mean more than £20,000 worth of funding has been shared among 15 different good causes across the North East by Northumbrian Water in the last year through its Community Foundation funds.
Northumbrian Water’s Partnerships Manager, Ross Smith, said: “It’s important to us that we support our local communities, and so we’re very proud to work alongside our Community Foundations and help fund good causes across the region.
“Given the difficult times a lot of people are finding themselves in currently, we’ve specifically chosen charities that will help benefit disadvantaged communities or support those who need it, reflecting our ambitious goal to eradicate water poverty.
“All four of these charities, ICOS, Fightback, 2nd Cramlington Scout Group and Changing Lives, are doing important work in our local community and we’re proud to be able to help them continue this.”
Since forming the long-standing partnership with the Northumberland, Tyne & Wear Community Foundation to deliver project grants in 1995, more than 230 community projects have been supported by the fund and nearly £139,000 donated to good causes.
Kevin Maloney, Philanthropy Advisor at the Community Foundation, said: “The Community Foundation has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Northumbrian Water since the fund was established in 1992.
“Like us, Northumbrian Water shares a passion for the North East and important community causes in the region. Through Northumbrian Water’s generosity, many grassroots organisations in the region have been provided funding and support.”
To find out more about the company’s Community Foundations, visit Northumbrian Water’s website, www.nwg.co.uk/responsibility/community