Hendy Foundation announces first beneficiaries

Hendy Foundation has announced the first charities and organisations it is supporting with beneficiaries coming from across the south and south west. The foundation was set up earlier this year by Hendy Group to offer grants to organisations in which the Group operates.

Trustee Chair Rebecca Hendy said the foundation had received so many applications from an incredibly wide range of charities. “It has been extremely difficult to select the beneficiaries from the long list of applications as they are all doing such great work in the communities in which they operate,” she said. Beneficiaries come from across the south and south west and include those caring for people with cancer, a charity that works to prevent and respond to domestic abuse, a charity that caters for those who are blind or visually impaired and a military-style community wind band that raises money for other charities.

“Our focus has been to help as many locally based charities as possible and who really make a difference to the lives they touch,” added Rebecca. “Having met with the charities it is clear they are all passionate about their work and making a difference, which fits perfectly with our aims.” The first beneficiaries are Open Sight in Eastleigh, which has been given £1,000 to fund a day out for blind and visually impaired people in the area.

The Pickering Centre in Tunbridge Wells has been presented with £3,500 to fund its vital work in running a popular drop-in centre for anyone affected by cancer. £1,000 has been donated to the Joe Glover Trust – a children’s cancer charity dedicated to caring and supporting children, young people and their families who are suffering through cancer.

The first grant awards also includes a donation to The Sunshine Club, which provides a club for the elderly and those with disabilities. Hendy Foundation is also supporting Yellow Door, a Southampton-based charity that offers a range of free services to those who have experienced, or are at risk of, abuse as well as delivering workshops.

In Dorset, the foundation has pledged to support the Samee Project with a grant being used to help lone parents build their entrepreneurial skills, increase confidence and transform their lives. Exmouth Town Band will be using its grant to buy new jackets for band members and the foundation grant to St Joseph’s Specialist Trust in Cranleigh will pay for a free-rider wheelchair bike.

Prescription Art Test Valley is the final recipient of a grant in this round of applications with the donation set to be used for art and singing courses that offer a creative outlet to those with mental health conditions. Hendy Foundation is a dedicated charity to provide grants to local projects, people and charitable organisations in the areas in which Hendy Group operates.

It provides grants from £500 to £5,000 to organisations in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Devon with funding from Hendy Group, which is donating £2 for every retail car it sells that is set to provide up to £50,000 in the first 12 months.

Details of Hendy Foundation and how to apply for grants are now online at www.hendyfoundation.org