After Epsom Coaches raised money for the Epsom & Ewell Community Fund in 2015, the first grants from the charity have now been made.
The Epsom & Ewell Community Fund, established specifically for the benefit of Epsom and Ewell and its residents, has supported four local community projects.
A grant of £1,000 supported the Richmond Fellowship to expand their Old Moat Garden Centre Café in Epsom to help more people gain work experience and training. The project offers people with mental health problems, the opportunity to enrol in training and work experience programmes in a realistic, commercial, but supportive environment.
Another grant of £500 to the Epsom Common Association has helped this volunteer led group to continue their project converting timber from local conservation activities into charcoal.
Other grants awarded include £900 to The Meeting Room to support a drop in centre for homeless and marginalized people in Epsom & Ewell and £900 to Epsom and Ewell Colts Youth Football Club to fund subsidised places for young people to play football.
A number of local businesses and individuals, including Epsom Coaches and the Rolf Charitable Trust, have signed up as founding donors.
Melanie Cox of Epsom Coaches Group, a fund panel member, explained “This fund provides the perfect way for our staff to give back to the local area and be involved in the grant making process.
“I am delighted this was elected by our team as our chosen charity to support this year and would recommend other local companies join us in supporting the Fund.”
Founder of the Epsom & Ewell Community Fund, Mayor Cllr Chris Frost, explained: “We are delighted to award our first grants to such inspirational groups working across the Borough. This Fund provides a permanent source of funding for local people; run by local people, who care about Epsom & Ewell.”
