100 celebrate record breaking year
Over 100 supporters, grant recipients, business leaders and VIPs came together at Haselbury Mill on Thursday 27th October at the Somerset Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration.

Chairman Peter Wyman told the gathered audience that 2010/11 had been a record-breaking year for the Foundation, with highlights including:

• over 211 grants were awarded worth more than  £380,000 to local charities and voluntary organisations, a 10% increase compared with the previous year

• increasing the long-term endowment fund for Somerset by over £800,000 to over £2million

• securing 6 months of reserves to secure the future of the Foundation

Looking to the future he also brought the audience up to date with Raising Aspirations programme which matches mentors from local businesses with students to help them fulfil their potential, starting with a pilot with Crispin School in Street.

Meanwhile Justin Sargent, Chief Executive of the Foundation, announced the launch of the Surviving Winter Appeal for 2011/12. He told the audience that the success of the first appeal was such that similar campaigns have been launched by Community Foundations across the whole of the UK. He also congratulated Churton Inge on their Silver Award from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations for their role in promoting the appeal through the media.

The celebration also saw the release of the 2010/11 Annual Review. Copies are available from the Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949.

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