Legacy Fund helps turn lives around
24th July 2024
Local charities in Harwich and Dovercourt have benefited from grants totalling nearly £10,000 from the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund and because the fund is invested for the long-term, funding will be available to give out support year after year.
The Fund was set up with us by Cllr Ivan Henderson in 2020 during his Mayoral year. Along with donations from local people and businesses, Cllr Henderson has been able to boost the value of the Fund by adding monies available under the Essex County Council Locality funding scheme which provides County Councillors with £5,000 that they can award to local charities in their area. In addition, the funds have been matched by 50% with money available from the Essex Police Proceeds of Crime Scheme, managed by ECF.
The latest voluntary organisation to receive a grant from the Fund is UTurn4Support, a charity that is dedicated to educating, supporting and advising young people in the community on knife awareness, county lines and other related youth violence.
They received £2,758, along with additional funding from two other charitable Funds managed by ECF, the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service Fund and the High Sheriffs’ Fund, making a total grant of £7,458.
Tania Swanson is Director of UTurn. She said, “Young people who are vulnerable can quickly become victims of crime or be drawn into offending. We encourage them to make wise life choices, to stay in education or employment, educate them on the dangers of gang culture and youth violence and work hard to realise their full potential.
“We are very grateful for this funding to support our work which has specifically enabled us to deliver a programme supporting young females aged 12-18 years from Clacton and Harwich who may be at risk of criminality, violence and exploitation. It helped us create a safe and nurturing environment where they could learn, grow, and thrive.
“As result, we have seen incredible changes in the lives of the young individuals who took part in the programme. They have grown in confidence, acquired new skills, and discovered new potential.”
Cllr Henderson said, “Harwich has been my home for 66 years and I am passionate about doing all I can to help others who live here.
“I am amazed and delighted that the value of the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund has grown to over £70,000 since 2020 and that it will provide a lasting source of funding to support charities and voluntary groups in Harwich and Dovercourt.
“I really would encourage local people and businesses to think about supporting the fund with a donation or consider leaving a gift in their will. It is a great way to know that your gift or legacy will support your local community and continue giving year after year.”
Other charities that have benefited from support from the Fund, include The Ark Family Resource Centre, Teen Talk (Harwich), Home-Start Harwich, Tall Ships Youth Trust, and 4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts.
Zoe Brampton, Grants Manager at ECF said: “People living in coastal communities can sometimes find it challenging to access resources, amenities and facilities. Charities often fill this gap by delivering local services that can help to make life a little easier and more enjoyable.
“Having a fund which is dedicated to giving support in a specific area can be incredibly helpful, especially somewhere like Harwich and Dovercourt which is thriving with community support and activities.”
If you would like to support local charities and make a donation to the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund, you can donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harwichmayflower400legacyfund or by calling ECF on 01245 355947.