Soup-er grants for charities

● Baxter Foundation sets up fund to help community respond to crisis

The legacy from a Speyside soup empire has been turned to helping local groups on the front line in the fight against coronavirus.

The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation was established in 1981 to manage the personal cash of the couple that ran the global food company that bears their name.

Since its formation, it has distributed more than £1 million to groups across the north to support projects including sport, health, heritage, and education programmes.

Now the foundation has turned to the current crisis by setting up a new £25,000 fighting fund to help Moray-based groups involved in the response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Grants of up to £500 are being offered to charities providing an urgent response in their community, with the usual application process being streamlined to ensure money gets to where it is needed faster.

Foundation manager Kay Jackson said: “The foundation is taking precautions to protect our team during the coronavirus outbreak, including postponing our regular funding meeting which was due at the start of April.

“However, that does not mean we do not recognise the urgent need in our community during this time.

“That is why our trustees have approved a fund for charities based in the Moray local authority area that have been adversely affected by coronavirus.

“Priority will be given to those organisations providing direct support in the community. This is a time for our community to come together.”

Gordon and Ena Baxter were instrumental in growing Baxters across the world before leaving a legacy to continue to support local groups and causes that were close to them and give back to the community that helped support their business.

Organisations to have benefited already include the Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay, the Highland Wildcats American football team, Kinloss-based Morayvia and a skate park in Keith.

Applications to the foundation’s coronavirus fund should be emailed to Mrs Jackson at kay@ gebfoundation.com