LEEK UNITED BUILDING SOCIETY LAUNCH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Leek United Building Society, with its unflinching commitment to social responsibility and community support, has taken a further great stride with the launch of their Charitable Foundation.

By providing grants to local charities and community groups, the new Foundation is aiming to make a real positive difference to the lives of local people.

As a community-centric mutual building society, Leek United has a long-standing history of making a real difference to its local communities and it considers the launch of its Charitable Foundation to be the next crucial strand in its overarching approach to supporting local people.

Led by a Board of Trustees, the Charitable Foundation’s primary purpose is to provide grants to local charities and good causes following its launch this week. Applications will be considered from charities and community organisations that are in the Society’s heartland counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Shropshire. Grants will be awarded for between £500 and £5,000 and applicants do not need to be members of Leek United Building Society to apply.

With the cost of living crisis in full flow, the need for charitable organisations to help support the most vulnerable has once again been highlighted. And the Foundation can provide the much needed financial support to help local charities and community groups to keep doing their great work. In addition to causes linked to the current economic situation, the Foundation also welcomes applications from groups and charities looking to:

• prevent or relieve poverty.
• advance community facilities including the development of green spaces.
• provide healthy food to vulnerable and disadvantaged people, and
• develop digital inclusion.

Noting his pride in the recent launch of the Charitable Foundation, Leek United’s Chief Executive, Andrew Healy, said “It’s no exaggeration to say that this is a very special moment in our 159-year history. A big part of what we are as a mutual building society is giving back to the local community and our Charitable Foundation will provide us with the structure, means and reach to do just that. I’m looking forward to seeing how the grants made by the Foundation are put to great use by local charities and community groups, to make a hugely positive difference to the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of local people who really need our help.”

Tim Edwards, Independent Trustee and Chair of the Foundation explained why being involved means so much to him. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with the charity and I thank Leek United Building Society for taking this forward.  Being chair and trustee will be an extremely satisfying role, and I look forward to working with partners to develop and promote the charity and deliver real benefits for our communities and make a positive difference to lots of local people.”

The Charitable Foundation’s website can be found at:

www.LUBScharitablefoundation.org

This provides more information about how interested charities and community groups may apply.