Community Activities
Three community organisations helping people across Bradford have been awarded funding through the first round of the Edwin Pounds Community Fund, with grants supporting food provision, family support and life-saving cardiac screening.
The community fund was established to support local groups working to improve the lives of people in their communities. Following careful consideration by the judging panel, three organisations were selected to receive funding for projects that will make a meaningful impact across the district.
Supporting Families Through the Summer Holidays
One of the successful applicants was Bradford North Foodbank, an independent charity and member of the Trussell network that has been providing emergency food parcels, hygiene products and practical support across Bradford for more than a decade.
The judges were particularly impressed by the wide range of services delivered by the charity, highlighting that foodbanks often provide far more than emergency food assistance alone.
Foodbank Manager Franco explained how the £900 grant will help families during the school summer holidays:
“With the support of Edwin Pounds and their generous grant of £900 we have also been able to provide extra support to all the families and children not accessing breakfast clubs and free school meals over the summer holidays with the provision of an additional fresh food parcel alongside the standard food parcel. This helps parents provide the much needed meals that these children need and may have gone without throughout the summer holidays.”
We wish Bradford North Foodbank every success with this important initiative.
Funding Vital Community Support in Clayton
The second successful applicant, Clayton Estate Community Action Group, was awarded the full amount of funding available after submitting an application that greatly impressed the judging panel.
The organisation works in one of Bradford’s most deprived communities, providing practical support and a welcoming community hub for local residents.
Fundraiser Sean said:
“Clayton Estate Community Action Group are very grateful for the award of the grant. We work in a deprived area of Bradford, and the grant will help to support our food provision over the summer holidays, both our weekly meal and food bank, as well as providing some small gift bags for the children.
Summer is always a hard time for local families with the children being at home, so we always try to provide extra support when possible. Our community hub is valued and trusted by local residents. It is a safe space, and this grant will significantly help us to provide the help and support that is needed.”
The funding will help the group continue providing essential support to families throughout the summer and strengthen the services available through its community hub.
Creating a Lasting Legacy Through Cardiac Screening
The final recipient announced from the fund was the Anja Wilson Memorial – Supporting CRY.
The memorial fund was established following the tragic loss of 19-year-old Anja Wilson to an undiagnosed inherited heart condition. Working in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), the fund helps organise and deliver local cardiac screening events for young people aged 14 to 35.
Anja’s mother and founder of the memorial fund shared how the grant will help continue this vital work:
“Every donation makes a real difference. The generous support from Edwin Pounds & Sons Funeral Directors will help fund future screening places for young people in our local community, creating a lasting legacy in Anja’s name and giving other families the opportunity we never had.
Thank you for helping us save lives.”
Funding from the Edwin Pounds Community Fund has provided 10 community screening places, helping to identify potentially life-threatening heart conditions and giving young people and their families greater peace of mind.
Investing in Stronger Communities
The Edwin Pounds Community Fund is proud to support organisations that are making a tangible difference to people’s lives. From tackling food insecurity and supporting families through challenging times to helping prevent future tragedies through health screening, each project demonstrates the positive impact that local organisations can have in their communities.
We would like to thank all three organisations for the incredible work they do and wish them every success as they continue to support people across Bradford and the surrounding areas.