Inspiring local giving in Southend

22nd April 2025

Around 50 invited guests and private client advisers joined us for a networking event held at Porters Civic House & Mayoral Parlour, to raise awareness of the Southend Community Fund and the importance of local giving.

The Southend Community Fund was established by Howard Briggs when he was Mayor of Southend in 2003, along with his long-time friend Peter Croysdill.  Their ambition was to encourage donations and legacies from local people and businesses to provide a long-term source of funding to support charities and voluntary groups working in Southend-on-Sea.

To date, the Fund has awarded grants totalling over £500,000 to groups that are providing support to people of all ages and are tackling issues that include help for the elderly, activities for young people, support for carers, services for people who are homeless or struggling with poor mental health and those who have disabilities, as well as community spaces and events.

Among the many charities that have received support from the Fund are Chalkwell Lifeguards to buy life-saving equipment, the One Love Project, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable people, and Southend YMCA providing practical help and advice to young people.

David Hurst DL, Chair of the Southend Community Fund, talked about his ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal’, to raise £10 million into the Fund, by encouraging people and businesses to think about their community and how they can help to make a difference.

Entrepreneur and MasterChef UK 2023 finalist, Anurag Aggarwal, also gave an inspiring speech about his journey to success, as he forges his new career in food. He also provided delicious catering for the guests.

Our thanks to Rathbones Charity Investment Management, for sponsoring the event and endorsing the benefits of working with Community Foundations.

If you want to make a donation or leave a legacy to the Southend Community Fund or to the community where you live, call Perry Norton on 01245 355947 or email perry@essexcf.org.uk.

How to give to the Southend Community Fund:

• Make a donation online
• Send a cheque made payable to the Southend Community Fund to Essex Community Foundation, 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GU
• Consider making the Southend Community Fund a beneficiary in your Will. Call ECF for more information on 01245 35594 or find out more here