Pictured: Richard Hines and Stephen Hines (both from
Armchair) and Peter Hoarle, community investment project manager
for Sanctuary
Staff from a Worcestershire furniture charity are celebrating
having been awarded a share of £60,000 from a community
funding scheme by leading housing and care provider Sanctuary
Group.
Thanks to a £1,000 grant from Sanctuary's Grand Ideas
Fund, Armchair will be able to continue its work in the community -
providing second hand furniture free of charge to local families
and individuals in need.
Armchair is one of 60 community groups across England which will
benefit from Sanctuary's initiative. Launched in September 2011,
the Grand Ideas Fund offers up to £1,000 to charities,
resident groups and voluntary organisations that need financial
backing to help deliver activities within their local
community.
Each year, Armchair receives around 1,200 items of furniture and
household objects donated by members of the public, helping some
400 people. The recent donation comes just in time for the charity,
which will put the funds towards making essential repairs to its
delivery van.
Mel Kirk, chairman of Armchair, said: "Sanctuary's timely help
is keeping the furniture on the road for the folk who so
desperately need it. We rely solely on funding and to receive this
generous cash boost is a wonderful Christmas present for us and the
people we help.
"There are always families and individuals who need our help and
this funding will allow us to reach even more people across
Worcester."
Christa Ripley, Sanctuary's regional manager, added: "Furniture
can be such an expense, especially for those who are finding it
difficult to make ends meet. Charities, like Armchair, therefore
have an important role to play in the community.
"The Armchair team is to be commended for the wonderful job done
locally to provide much-needed support to so many people."
With the application process open until March 2012, Sanctuary
has set aside £60,000 for projects across the country. The
Grand Ideas Fund is designed to support as wide a variety of
projects as possible - from youth activities to the improvement of
community facilities.
To apply, contact Sanctuary's Community Investment team on 01905
334271 or email peter.hoarle@sanctuary-housing.co.uk.