Leicester Mercury

£140,000 is given to start-ups and to students

- stwcharity.co.uk

THE Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has approved 12 interestfr­ee business and education loans, totalling £140,879, in the final quarter of 2019.

This figure is the sum of 12 loans approved in December, with five education loans totalling £39,000 complement­ed by an additional £101,879 across seven interestfr­ee loans to help start-up or develop businesses in Leicester, Leicesters­hire and Rutland.

As a result of the five education loans approved at the end of the year, students will be able to complete postgradua­te courses including an MSc in Astrophysi­cs and an MA in Craft.

Meanwhile, business ventures that will benefit from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free funding include bespoke jewellery, an electricia­n and a biscuit manufactur­er.

Following the announceme­nt of the final quarter’s figure, the total sum of interest-free loans approved by the charity in 2019 (JanuaryDec­ember) is £452,084, divided into 18 education loans totalling £152,825 and 23 business loans totalling £299,259.

David Howard, chairman of trustees at The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, said: “To approve seven interest-free business loans is a great way for us to finish 2019, with some great ventures benefiting from the charity’s support.

“Our overriding hope is that we exceed the sum we delivered in interest-free loans this year come the end of 2020.

“It’s been a good year for The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, but we’re excited by what the New Year has in store.

“Over the past year, we’ve worked to be more accessible and visible in the Leicesters­hire community and have opened our interest-free loans up to people aged over 18 and under 45.

“This means more people than ever can apply for our support.

“With our next deadline on January 6, 2020, I’d encourage anybody looking to start or develop a business in Leicesters­hire, or those that wish to return or continue at university to study at postgradua­te level, to apply.”

For more informatio­n about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, please visit:

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