Member Article

North East projects awarded £8m

A major building renovation in Berwick-upon-Tweed, an employment programme for young people on Wearside and a nationally renowned dance company based in Newcastle are among projects in the North East and Cumbria set to benefit from grants announced today by Northern Rock Foundation.

52 organisations will receive grants totalling £7,862,282 approved by the Foundation’s Trustees. So far in 2006 the Foundation has given over £20m to causes across the North East and Cumbria. The Foundation has recently announced new programmes and priorities, and next year expects to invest £34m through grants and other work to help improve the overall quality of life in the region.

Awards made in this round include the Berwick-upon-Tweed Preservation Trust, Crisis UK’s Skylight centre in Newcastle, Team Wearside’s Sunderland employment initiatives, balletLORENT dance company, First Step care home in Middlesbrough, and Get Hooked on Fishing Charitable Trust in Bishop Auckland.

Alastair Balls, Chairman of Northern Rock Foundation, said: “I’m delighted to announce Northern Rock Foundation’s latest grants, which bring our investment in tackling disadvantage and improving quality of life this year to nearly £22 million. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of all those involved, these grants will make a difference to people and communities across the North East and Cumbria, demonstrating once again the huge breadth and great effectiveness of the voluntary sector in our area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .