£10,000 donated to local causes

Our community fund has given £10,000 to various groups in the Harrogate area as those in need is on the increase.

The Charity Commission has found that over 90% of charities were negatively affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Six in 10 surveyed saw their income fall as a result of COVID-19, while 57% were forced to cancel events or planned work. Charities are also worried about the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic, with 62% anticipating a threat to their financial viability.

We have been supporting some great causes. Here’s what some of the beneficiaries had to say:

“Harrogate Hospital Radio have recently launched on 95.3FM within HDFT and surrounding area. Our bank balance has taken quite a hit recently to pay for the installation of our transmitter etc. so, every penny we receive helps enormously to enable us to provide the service we do. The grant you have kindly offered us will go towards a supply of batteries for 100 FM radios recently purchased. We will be placing the FM radios on wards within Harrogate District Hospital over the Christmas period, so your timing is perfect. Thank you.”
Mark Oldfield, chairman, Harrogate Hospital Radio

“The funding from Stonebridge Homes has enabled young people to move on from homelessness by providing them with a safe place to stay in the home of a trained volunteer. We would like to thank Stonebridge Homes for enabling SASH to meet the expenses our volunteer hosts receive for opening their homes to young people facing homelessness. SASH volunteer hosts are ordinary people with a spare room and a will to make a difference to young people at a time of crisis or for the longer term.”
Deborah Rack, trust fundraiser, SASH

“On behalf of the Harrogate & District Soroptimists, I would like to thank you very much for your very generous support to our Fashion Show in aid of Just ‘B’. I am absolutely delighted to let you know that a fantastic £7,300 was raised for Just ‘B’ services, which will help Just ‘B’ to continue to provide their emotional wellbeing and bereavement support to children, young people, and adults across North Yorkshire.”
Sandra Frier, immediate past president, Harrogate & District Soroptimists

“Your grant was definitely a spring board in assisting us to change from a small group of friends using our own tools, into a well-equipped charity that is really helping men in Nidderdale to reduce their sense of loneliness and increase their well-being while enjoying the banter and activity Pateley Shed offers. So, thank you so much for your support.”
Alan Cottrill, trustee & project coordinator, Pateley Shed

“Demand for our services is increasing all the time. We never want cost to be a barrier to families seeking the help and support they need. Funding such as that received from Stonebridge Homes Community Fund is essential so we can continue providing much needed support, reduce the cost of our sessions and the pressure on our families.”
Autism Angels

“At a time when demand for services has sky-rocketed, and funding is ever scarcer, your support has been vital. Thank you.”
Anna Woollven, Harrogate Easier Living Project

So far, we have helped:

• SASH
• Wellspring Therapy
• Harrogate & District Community Action
• Ripon Community Link
• Pateley Shed
• Harlow Friendship Group
• Harlow Tennis Club
• Pannall Cricket Club
• Harlow Community Centre (Green Hut)
• Birk Crag Girl Guides
• Supporting Older People
• Autism Angels
• 1st Pannall Scouts
• Just B Helpline (Soroptomists)
• Harrogate Street Aid
• Dancing for Wellbeing
• Harrogate Hospital Radio
• Washburn Heritage

It is imperative to us that we give something back to the communities in which we live and work, and that’s what the community fund has been set up to do.