"We are delighted that the work of Disability North has been recognised at a national level"
Dr Victoria Armstrong
Two Newcastle charities have benefited from a grant of £6,500 each from the Garfield Weston Foundation together with strategic planning support from a team of business and charity leaders.
Disability North in South Gosforth and The Children’s Foundation based in Newcastle’s RVI, were each declared as one of just 20, Weston Charity Awards winners. The two charities were chosen from 150 applicants, all of which deliver youth, welfare or community services in the North of England, the Midlands, and Wales.
Disability North offers user-led advice, support and activities to promote independent living while The Children’s Foundation improves the health and well-being of children and young people through a range of hospital, school and community-based projects, making the serious stuff fun!
Dr Victoria Armstrong CEO of Disability North said: ““The Dene Centre is now more than 30 years old and we have some exciting plans to redevelop the site. The advice and support we receive will be used to help us take the right decisions to develop a contemporary hub for disabled people as well as looking at independent living. We are delighted that the work of Disability North has been recognised at a national level through the Weston Charity Awards.”
Sean Soulsby CEO of The Children’s Foundation said: “We are about to launch an exciting new 30th anniversary fundraising campaign called “Make A Million” (MaM) in which we aim to give newborn babies in the North East a good start in life, supporting healthy baby development. The support from external Pilotlight mentors will allow us to look at what we are doing from a strategic viewpoint and make sure we are doing it right.”
In congratulating the two charities, Philippa Charles, director of the Garfield Weston Foundation said: “These charities have shown courage and resilience this year in delivering vital services in the face of uncertainty and growing need. This year, more than ever, the Foundation is helping charities shift gear by providing dedicated support for long-term planning.”
Pilotlight is a charitable social enterprise that facilitates pro bono volunteering programmes in support of charities across the UK, drawing in over six hundred senior volunteers each year from a variety of sectors (known as ‘Pilotlighters’) and using their skills to provide organisational development and support for free to small charities.
Ed Mayo, chief executive of Pilotlight said: “These two charities have been selected on the strength of their ambitions and the openness of the leadership team to external perspectives. Pilotlight’s skilled volunteers have a proud record of helping Weston Charity Award winners to adapt services, diversify income and thrive into the future.”
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Photo shows Victoria and Sean at Disability North (The Bigger Picture)
Interviews available from keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951
