Foundation meets milestone

Amid the challenges of the pandemic, this year has been successful for Bondholder Foundation Derbyshire, as it has hit a £1 million milestone.

Foundation Derbyshire has received and given out more than £1 million to 96 different Derbyshire charities in little more than four months.

As the County’s community foundation, Foundation Derbyshire has been distributing monies from the National Emergencies Trust (NET) and from Derbyshire County Council to charities and community groups within Derbyshire to help those who are suffering so badly as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

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As the demands upon the foodbanks, the hospices, the carers, the domestic abuse charities, the mental health charities have been enormous, the huge achievement has given life-saving support to those in need:

• 31% has gone to foodbanks

• 17% has gone to mental health, counselling and befriending services

• 10% has gone to hospices and to end of life care

• 5% has gone to support domestic abuse charities

• The remainder has gone to a wide range of causes, all of which are focussed on the immediate plights of people affected by the coronavirus.

With NET funding coming to an end for the time being, Foundation Derbyshire will revert to ‘business as usual', distributing funds from its endowed investments, to community groups and charities throughout the county.

Derbyshire Foundation's Chairman, Oliver Stephenson, said: “In normal times we give out approximately £300,000 per annum, and there is every intention that we should be able to continue this pattern regardless of these Covid times.

“We do have a Coronavirus fund, and you can donate to it if you like. Monies from this fund will be go directly to charities whose work is directly related to, or affected by, the pandemic. There is currently about £20,000 in the Coronavirus fund, generously donated by members of the Derbyshire public.”

Those interested to donate can do so by accessing the JustGiving fundraising page here.

Moreover, Foundation Derbyshire's most recent former High Sheriff, William Burlington, was due to undertake an epic 208 mile bike ride around the County, raising awareness for the foundation.

The one day ride scheduled for March was put on hold, but is now rescheduled for 12th September. If you would like to support him you can do so by visiting his Just Giving Page here.