Christmas comes early for 17 local good causes
Published date: 22 December 2011
The north east’s biggest building society is playing Santa Claus this Christmas by surprising 17 good causes with festive grants from their fund at the Community Foundation ranging from £500 to £1500.
Newcastle Building Society (NBS) approached its 30-strong branch network in the North East and Cumbria and asked them to nominate a group to which they would like to give an early Christmas present.
Following weeks of decision-making, a list of good causes was agreed, which ranges from a youth group and a children’s football team to a community association to a hospice, as well as individuals that need some crucial support.
The good causes included Gateway into the Community in Hexham (a group that supports people with learning difficulties), St Theresa’s Hospice in Darlington (provides care to terminally ill patients), Hospicecare North Northumberland in Alnwick (provides palliative care to people with life limiting illness), Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers (an organisation that provides support services to carers and their families) and West Denton Community Association.
This initiative is the latest in a line of supportive measures that the Society has provided to the communities within the North East.
Chief executive Jim Willens says: “As a mutual building society it is in our fabric to be a part of and provide support to the communities in which we operate.
“We support a variety of charities throughout the year, but it was great to be able to help the ones specifically close to our branch network, in the heart of our operations. The donations deliberately cover a range of organisations and people as we were keen to help as much of a cross-section of our member-base as possible.
“The response has been great with the organisations appreciating the nice surprise.”
The donations were made possible via an endowment fund held with the Community Foundation.
Lisa Cappleman from the organisation, adds: “We are delighted that the Newcastle Building Society Fund has made these grants during the Christmas period – local organisations are really feeling the pinch at the moment and a little boost, especially during the festive period, really goes a long way!”