GOODFUND’S £1.2 MILLION BOOST FOR NORTH EAST CHARITIES
29/02/2008

North East charities and community groups were amongst those celebrating last night as GoodFund announced a bumper £1.2 million in donations to the region.

Their annual event held in the Theatre Royal recognised those charities that have benefited from money raised by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery in the North East.

At the event, Manuela Wendler, GoodFund’s executive manager said: “It has been a fantastic few years for local charities in the North East.  We are delighted to announce that our fund has now topped £1.2 million meaning we have been able to provide regular funding to seven permanent beneficiaries as well as supporting over 60 charity projects.”

Two of the charities were on hand to give details of how they have spent the money.  Mike Horsley from the award-winning Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Middlesbrough received £3,750.00 for three laptops, wireless printer and wireless internet.

Mike said:  “We applied for the funding after reading a charity newsletter we received from the Postcode Lottery.  We never thought that local charities still had the chance to receive funding however after a few weeks of waiting, we now have a brand new IT suite.  We can’t thank GoodFund enough for the difference this has made to MS sufferers in Middlesbrough.” 

Help the Aged are one of the charities who receive regular income from GoodFund as a permanent beneficiary.  Speaking at the event, Director Kate Adams gave details of the two main programmes, Your Money Matters and the HandyVan Service, which have benefited from GoodFund’s donation. 

“These two programmes have made a real difference to older people across the North East.  We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the regular funding from GoodFund and we are very grateful.”

GoodFund’s seven permanent beneficiaries, who receive a regular income from the charity, have received a bumper payout to date.  Presenting cheques at the event, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Mencap and Help the Aged each received £54,444.00 in 2007 meanwhile Children North East, Missing People, Percy Hedley Foundation and Daisy Chain received £27,222.00.