Good causes to share £10k community cash
ASTOCKPORT building society has donated £10,000 to 14 local groups and charities.
The annual Community Awards presentation evening saw the cash from the Vernon Building Society divided between organisations which were voted for by the public.
Millie’s Trust, which provides paediatric first aid courses for new parents, nurseries, schools and businesses, topped the public vote with 3,324 and was awarded £1,500.
CEO Joanne Thompson said: “Millie’s Trust are very proud to have the support of so many local people and businesses, such as the Vernon Building Society, that allows us to gain funds to use in our own community.
“We are looking forward to working on our Stockport Schools Project in 2019 that will see more than 1,000 local children trained in basic life-savings skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
The Vernon staff award, which gives employees the ability to donate an extra £500 of funding, went to Beechwood Cancer Care and will be used to fund a therapeutic outdoor bereavement programme for children and young people.
Linda Steggles, Chief Executive at Beechwood Cancer Care Centre: “It was a pleasure to be at the presentation evening and to meet the other fantastic finalists.
“We are delighted to be one of Vernon’s Community Awards beneficiaries and look forward to working more closely with them in the future.”
John Varley, who won the Vernon calendar competition, decided that all of the proceeds from the 2019 calendar sales will go to Signpost Stockport for Carers, providing support to unpaid carers.
Meanwhile, Adventure Mexico 2020, the Guide group in Marple which aims to empower young women, has been awarded £1,250 after coming second in the public vote, and Middlewood Riding for the Disabled Group was placed third and got a £1,100 contribution.
Alexander Deakin, marketing manager at the Vernon, said: “The awards evening was an absolute success, and a very special occasion.
“We had the opportunity to listen to the stories of multiple charities across Stockport who are making a real difference in the local community.
“To be able to be part of their journeys and help fund the inspiring projects they are undertaking is a true honour.”