‘Great feeling to be able to help’
All areas: More than £80,000 in Baylis Trust donations
The Louis Baylis Trust has handed out more than £80,000 in grants to good causes in the area in its latest round of donations.
After a tough financial year and lack of fundraising events halting many charities’ income, the owner of the Express has distributed the funds to nearly 60 groups in desperate need of suppor t.
Cash will help a diverse group of good causes continue their work as the pandemic rolls into 2021.
These range from large charities like Citizens Advice, to smaller scale projects including the Rarescale Flute Academy, a new name on the list.
The Trust has also assisted the Lions Club of Windsor as it prepares to open a new shop.
Chair of trustees at the Louis Baylis Trust, Peter Sands, said it was a great feeling to be able to help charities through difficult times.
“It has been a tough year – everybody’s income has been hit and we are no different,” he said.
“So we have had to dig into our reserves a bit, which we are happy to do, and we are fortunate to be in quite a strong position.”
A familiar name on the list is The Dash Charity, which supports victims of domestic abuse in the Royal Borough and Slough. It received
£1,000 from the Trust.
Lockdown has resulted in an increase in the crime. Peter said: “There is probably a lot more abuse than you see or are aware of. That is another area we have been able to support.”
He added: “It is a superb feeling, it is lovely to be able to support [these charities].
“We have still been able to distribute money, we are not relying on a big event or anything like that, which a lot of these charities are.
“Fundraising for a lot of them is very difficult.”
As COVID-19 vaccines start to roll out and a return to a new normal approaches, Peter said he was hopeful the cash would see the charities through the last remaining periods of the pandemic.
“We are hopeful all of them will survive and continue their normal operations,” he said.
“This is the time of year where you think of those less fortunate than yourself, and we wish them all the best for the festive season and the coming year.”