Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust Autumn 2024 Update
The Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust continues to deliver on its commitment to make a difference to charitable causes in the areas that we operate in. We wanted to provide an update on the difference our donations are making to some of the charities.
In the last quarter, the Trust reviewed 85 applications and awarded over £119,000 in grants. Over the last 12 months, the Trust has supported over 80 charities and donated over £500,000. Bringing the total amount donated since inception in late 2019 to over £2.5million.
Here are some of the grants that were made:
The Sick Children’s Charity
£5,000 was awarded to replace worn out soft furnishings in the family bedrooms at Acorn House which provides accommodation and emotional support to parents and families whose sick children/siblings are being treated in Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Cambridge Online
With more and more functions moving online, some elderly and disadvantaged people are at risk of becoming isolated. Cambridge Online aims to empower people by providing digital skills training and coaching. £4,800 was awarded to fund a six-week course for 12 people.
The Salvation Army
£7,500 was donated to The Salvation Army to support the opening of a new community hub in Skegness, Lincolnshire.
The Garage Trust
The Garage Trust is a Norfolk-based performing arts charity, providing dance, drama, and music classes for all ages and abilities. A grant of £10,000 was awarded to support their Creative Foundations programme for 7-18yr olds facing challenging circumstances, to help build confidence and boost self-esteem.
The Forum Trust
A grant of £8,000 was made to The Forum Trust to support its 2025 Science Festival. The eight-day festival offers the experience to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and maths in a fun series of events held in and around The Forum, Norwich. The initiative extends to include a tour of over 30 schools, reaching more than 500 pupils, to stimulate and encourage confidence, interest, and communication skills.
Magpas
Providing emergency medical services to those involved in major and traumatic accidents or medical incidents, Magpas provide a vital service to those in the Cambridge and Bedfordshire areas. £5,000 was awarded to help purchase necessary equipment and medicine and contribute towards the training of medics.
We also received some fantastic feedback from charities that have received donations from the Trust in the past:
St Andrews Hospice
Earlier this year, £15,000 was donated to St Andrew’s Hospice to purchase a cuddle bed to allow a second person to lie beside their loved one to offer comfort when needed. Shortly after awarding the grant. We received the following feedback from St Andrews Hospice,
“The new bed has arrived and was occupied by a very grateful patient who will benefit from its many features, allowing them to be comfortable in our care alongside their loved ones. The first of many patients to benefit.”
Norwich City Community Sports Foundation
£5,000 was awarded to Norwich City Community Sports Foundation in respect of Duncan’s Club – a new support programme for people suffering with dementia. Feedback from a participant reported,
“This has opened up a completely new and supportive group of friends for us. The volunteers at Duncan’s club are wonderful: the attention to detail and warm welcome have been a huge support to my partner and I since we joined and have had to learn to live with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Debenham Sports and Leisure
£5,000 was awarded to Debenham Sports & Leisure earlier this year, a community centre that provides facilities that includes local GP referrals for those needing to exercise in a safe and guided environment following recovery or diagnosis with cardiac illness. The donation funded new equipment, including a new Smith Machine. One member said,
“I have been delighted with the Debenham Leisure Centre/GP Referral scheme since I was first pointed in their direction. Claire & Millie have both been excellent helping me learn how to use the equipment to best help me with my medical condition”
