Local businessman leaves a lasting legacy for Essex charities
6th August 2020
A new fund launched in memory of pioneering local businessman Bill Southern is to give vital long-term support to charities and voluntary groups across Essex.
Bill, who died in December 2018 aged 82, set up Southern Supplies with his wife Jean 50 years ago.
An enthusiastic supporter of local charities, Bill wanted this support to continue after he died. His wishes have been granted with the creation of the Bill Southern Legacy Fund, which is being run by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF.)
Jean said: “Bill and our children, Moira and Gordon and son in law, Ian, did many fundraising activities, including parachute jumps, abseiling, 100km walks and organising a charity ball. One of our staff members had a child with Downs Syndrome and we still support the charity that helped them.
“ECF appealed to us as Bill’s Legacy Fund would benefit the Essex area long-term and we as a family could be involved in decisions about giving grants which would make a difference.”
Bill was born and grew up in Glasgow and was one of seven children. From birth he had sight in only one eye.
Jean said: “This did not deter him in any way, in fact, if anything, it made him more determined. He left Glasgow when he was about 23 to find work and further his career. Bill and I met in Putney, London. We were married in September 1965 and set up Southern Supplies in 1969. Bill had spotted the opportunity to start a business selling mostly to the garage trade from a mobile van racked out with supplies. We moved to South Woodham Ferrers in 1971 and in 1976 the firm expanded into one of the first industrial units in the town. We traded mostly in Essex and East London and had a retail shop on New Street in Chelmsford.”
Bill and Jean built up the company together, with Jean working as company secretary and office manager and Bill in sales. When they retired, they enjoyed travelling and cruising, visiting many places around the world. Bill loved to explore.
The fund will be a lasting tribute to Bill who had a legendary zest for life and was known in South Woodham Ferrers as one of the ”Three Wise Men” who set up one of the first businesses on the industrial estate, in what was then a new town.
The couple’s son Gordon said: “Dad was a big character, known to all for his hospitality, generosity and gregariousness. He had endless energy, momentum, wit and charm. Only poor health in later years could slow him down.”
Bill’s generosity will live on through the fund established in his name which will be a credit to the enduring memory of a loving and wise man.
Bringing people together one stitch at a time
9th June 2020
Essex Knitters and Stitchers are ensuring that more people in the county can enjoy the feeling of a tight-knit community, while helping good causes.
The voluntary organisation for craft enthusiasts has launched new groups in Colchester and Clacton, thanks to £500 worth of funding from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
The Essex Knitters and Stitchers now have 15 groups across the county, with more than 130 members who are looking forward to meeting again once current restrictions are eased.
Wendy Morrissey, organiser of Essex Knitters and Stitchers said: “We are very pleased to have had the grant to set up groups in Colchester and Clacton as we haven’t covered the North Essex area before. The new groups just got going before the lockdown and we will re-start as soon as we can.
“Our aim is to provide a welcoming place for anyone interested in knitting and stitching. While we haven’t been able to get together, we have kept in contact and some members have had virtual meetings.
“We make a wide variety of items to support charities, care homes, hospices, hospitals and homeless shelters in our area. During lockdown the knitters have been busy making headbands for the NHS and the sewers have been making scrubs.
“We also make other items including teddies for children who have experienced trauma, welcome bags for women’s refuges, wheelchair blankets, ‘fiddle cuffs’ for people with dementia and premature baby items.
“Our members enjoy being creative and productive and it gives a sense of fulfilment to know that what they are making will help other people.
“We already support charities in Colchester, such as the hospital, Women’s Refuge Centre and the homeless shelter. The new groups will be able to continue to support these charities and, by having another group in Clacton, members can become involved in projects in this area.
“Our groups are also very important in combating isolation, people who join make new friendships and enjoy getting together socially.”
Essex Knitters and Stitchers was launched in 2015, following in the footsteps of similar projects in Norfolk.
Julie Fosh, the recently appointed High Sheriff of Essex and her 93‑year-old mother, Joy Rogers, are among the founder members in Essex, attending a group that normally meets in Maldon library.
Julie said: “The ECF grant is a really welcome boost. It will enable Essex Knitters and Stitchers to extend our reach into the county, benefiting more people at risk of social isolation.
“The lockdown has exacerbated the problem of isolation, so any organisations that support and encourage social interaction will be essential as we work our way out of this situation.”
Julie is still hopeful that her High Sheriff’s Garden Party can take place at Stow Maries Aerodrome in early September, where one of the attractions will be knitted aeroplanes made by the Knitters and Stitchers.
During her year of office Julie is raising money for the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which is run by ECF and supports charities dealing with crime prevention and community safety.
ECF chosen as Co-op charity of the year
18th May 2020
Two of the county’s strongest community supporters have joined forces for the coming year to help with emergency funding for charitable causes through the Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme.
The initiative was launched in March by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), to channel desperately needed funds to voluntary organisations during and after the pandemic.
Now it has been announced that Chelmsford Star Co-operative, the Essex-based co-op society, have chosen the Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme as their charity of the year, starting in mid-May.
The partnership means that the Programme, which secured £1.1 million worth of funding during its first month, will be given an extra boost to help local communities.
Barry Wood, chief executive of Chelmsford Star Co-op said: “We are delighted to work with ECF to direct much needed assistance to a wide range of charities and voluntary groups across Essex, who are struggling due to the impact of COVID-19.
“The Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme has been chosen by our directors to be our new charity partner, with all support from colleagues, members and customers being directed towards this until May 2021.
“The Programme provides emergency funding to keep many vital services running across Essex that might otherwise be at risk of closure, both now and as we move forward into the next stages of recovery.
“We have food stores across Essex and our customers and members will also be able to donate in our Quadrant department stores when they reopen, or via our new JustGiving Page.
“We are looking forward to our year of partnership with Essex Community Foundation, and hope this dedicated and local Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme will make a real difference to people and services across Essex.”
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said: “We have had strong links with Chelmsford Star Co-op in the past and have always admired their commitment to the community.
The fact that they have chosen our Response and Recovery Programme as their charity of the year is wonderful news and is a great reflection of their community-based approach to charitable giving.
“Their support will enable us to help even more charities and organisations to sustain their services, which are needed more than ever.”
Southend charities receive £150,000 of support
1st May 2020
People who need additional help at this time of crisis are being given hope by charities supported by the Southend Community Fund and other emergency Funds, which are managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF.)
In the past few weeks, over £150,000 has been awarded to the voluntary sector in the Southend area by ECF through its charitable funds and its recently launched Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme.
Grants distributed by ECF are ensuring that people in need are receiving essential services from charities and community organisations whose work has proved more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the local charities given a much-needed funding boost are Southend Foodbank, Safe Steps which helps domestic abuse survivors, and Southend Carers’ Forum.
Natasha Copus, project manager for Southend Foodbank, which has received a total of £11,500 said: “The funding has been a great help at a time when our services are in such demand and we are really busy. During the eight-week period following the Coronavirus outbreak we gave out food parcels to help 661 adults and 569 children.
“We have had to adapt to so many changes over the past few weeks and we are now based in a church hall which is not being used. This means we can implement social distancing and can have more volunteers working at one time.
“People can’t come into our centres at the moment, so we are distributing food parcels at the door. There is an increasing need for foodbanks, with many people suddenly losing their income and finding that they don’t have enough money to feed their family. It just shows that this sort of situation can happen to anyone. There is also the ongoing problem of people having to wait about five weeks for benefits to come through.“
Domestic abuse is another major problem which has seen a rise nationally during the COVID-19 lockdown. Funds totalling £10,000 have been given to Safe Steps in Southend to help provide vital counselling for survivors of domestic abuse. It is estimated that one in four women experience domestic abuse during their lifetimes and the counselling sessions help those affected to begin to re-build their lives.
Esther Taylor, fundraising manager for Safe Steps said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from ECF that will enable us to continue to provide counselling sessions over the coming year. During the lockdown we haven’t been able to carry out face-to-face counselling sessions, but we have continued to give support over the phone and are still accepting referrals. Our refuge remains open, our advocacy, children and young people’s services are providing support remotely, and our 24-hour helpline continues to take calls 7 days a week, and for some, these services have become a lifeline.
“A lot more of the cases we have been dealing with during this time have been more severe, with abuse occurring more frequently, and we are also expecting a spike in cases when the lockdown eases, as survivors who have not been able to escape from abuse are able to seek help.
“When parents are at the receiving end of domestic violence it also affects their children, and as the schools have been closed, these children have had no respite. We give specific support to children and young people and this will be needed more than ever.”
The role of carers has become even more important during the coronavirus crisis and funds totalling £15,500, including £6,000 from the Birketts Charitable Fund managed by ECF, has enabled Southend Carers’ Forum to set up a new database and develop new online and telephone support so that they are accessible and responsive to those who are caring for a loved one and need support.
The new online systems will transform the help that can be offered to carers and improve how information is shared across the organisation. The requirement for the new system had already been identified by the charity before the coronavirus pandemic, but it is now even more urgent, and the funding will help to launch the project.
Other Southend-based charities receiving funding from ECF include Southend Association of Voluntary Service for an initiative to help protect older people from scams and fraud, SOS Rape Crisis and Communities and Sanctuary Seekers Together.
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF said: “The Southend Community Fund was set up in 2002 and plays an important role in offering support to local people.
“This is a time of exceptional need and we are heartened that the help we can give through the Funds we manage and our Response and Recovery Programme, are making a huge difference.”
Donate to this fund: To support charities and voluntary groups in Southend, please donate online or call us on 01245 356018 for our bank details. We would really appreciate a donation of any size and can ensure it will support local communities.
Essex Coronavirus Fund secures £1 million in a month
22nd April 2020
A heartfelt message of thanks is being given to people in Essex who are helping to provide a lifeline for the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Essex Community Foundation (ECF), an independent charitable trust, has secured over £1.1million for their Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme to support local charities and voluntary organisations.
Since the Programme was launched on 25 March, nearly £530,000 has already been awarded in grants.
Nick Alston, chairman of ECF, has paid tribute to the generosity shown in the county after the organisation launched the initiative to give financial support to voluntary and community organisations that are responding to the pandemic and those that are struggling.
He said: “We realised from the outset how vital it was that we make funds available quickly for local charities and voluntary organisations who are supporting the most vulnerable people in our community at this difficult time.
“Over the past 25 years ECF has become a mainstay for the voluntary sector and we have in-depth knowledge of local needs. The launch of our Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme means we have been able to give emergency funding to voluntary and community organisations so that they can respond to immediate needs by providing vital services to help local people.
“We want to thank to all those who have rallied to help so far and I am delighted to say that we have already distributed nearly £530,000 in grants, with priority given to organisations delivering vital services to older and vulnerable people, organisations helping to relieve pressure on public services and those co‑ordinating a local community response.
“Many of our existing fundholders and supporters have been wonderfully generous in making additional donations, or they have agreed to waive the specific criteria of their charitable funds so that we can give as much support as possible at this time.
“We have also had a number of companies contact us to make donations including the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, UK Power Networks, Affinity Water, Anglian Water, East of England Co‑op and Chelmsford Cricket Club.
“Local solicitors and accountants, including Birketts, have made their clients aware of the Programme, released unclaimed balances in support and existing charitable trusts have directed monies to us. We have also received anonymous donations ranging from £10 to £1,000 on our JustGiving page – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/essex-corona.
“The programme really has touched the hearts of local people and they have responded so generously.
“We have distributed funds across Essex to a wide range of causes, including foodbanks, Citizens Advice Bureaux, mental health charities and organisations helping the homeless. These charities are providing a lifeline for those in desperate need during the pandemic.
“We are also very aware that many charities are concerned about sustaining their organisations during this challenging time, as services have been disrupted and fundraising events have been cancelled, meaning that their income has been severely affected. We want to reassure local charities that we will do all we can to financially support them in the coming months and to recover afterwards.
“As well as continuing to give out grants through our Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme, ECF is also distributing funds raised by the National Emergencies Trust (NET) Appeal.
“To date, NET has raised around £20 million in donations nationally and the money is being awarded through the network of community foundations. ECF has already received over £385,000 to award locally from NET and we will be receiving more funds as they are raised.”
Local man’s lasting legacy
1st January 2020
Structural engineer Austin Hicks had a favourite saying – “Just do it!”. It was a motto he always adhered to and when he knew his life was coming to an end, he asked his family to do something for him.
Austin, who lived in Colchester, requested that after he died a fund should be set up in his memory to support local charities in the area.
A popular and well-respected figure, Austin worked for MLM Consulting Engineers for 35 years and became a partner in the firm. He was a staunch member of Colchester Centurion Rotary Club, could play several musical instruments and loved travel.
“Austin was a real planner and doer,” said his wife Anne. “He always had a great interest in supporting local charities, as we were both Essex born and bred.
“Before he died of cancer, at the age of 65, in May 2018, he made plans and asked that the family set up a fund after his death to help local causes.
“Our daughter Kathryn had heard of community foundations through her voluntary work as treasurer and fundraising for a mother and baby support group in Oxfordshire and suggested that it would be the best route to take. I thought this was a good idea and our son Jonathan agreed, hence the Austin Hicks Charitable Fund, was set up with the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
“I am sure Austin would be pleased with this. It would have been difficult to carry out his wishes without ECF. The fund is in the hands of professionals and we know that the money will be properly administered and will go to organisations we want to support, including those helping people with dementia, mental health, education, children and young people, and music.”
Anne and Austin (pictured) relished their life in Colchester, putting down strong roots in their family home for nearly four decades. Austin had trained qualified as a civil engineer at City University in London and Anne qualified trained as a radiographer at Essex County Hospital in Colchester.
The couple met when they were both 20 and married in 1977. They spent two years working in Lesotho, Africa where Austin worked as an engineer and Anne worked as a radiographer in the local mission hospital.
“It was a wonderful two years, we were in our 20s and didn’t have a care in the world,” said Anne.
“Working in Africa was a real eye-opener and we learnt a lot from the people we met. We came back from Lesotho in 1981 after our daughter Kathryn was born and settled in Colchester. Our son Jonathan was born two years later.
“Austin joined Colchester Centurion Rotary Club in 2003 and embraced everything Rotary stood for in ‘service above self’, enthusiastically taking the role of president in 2011. Austin also loved his work and enjoyed the fact that he could cover a huge area and not be office-bound all the time. He knew so many people and was very much respected.
“It is good to know that the fund he asked for has now been established and that it will be a very effective way of donating to local charities in a structured way, just as Austin would have wanted.”
For more information on how to set up your own fund as part of your legacy, please click here.