Over a million pounds of funding to be awarded to Bedford Borough
The Harpur Trust is awarding over one million pounds of funding to the Bedford Borough community.
Last updated 22nd Sep 2023
Every year, the Harpur Trust allocates funding to community groups, charities, and small businesses in the Borough of Bedford.
The Trust has been going for over 400 years, thanks to Sir William Harpur, who made his fortune locally and donated his inheritance to his beloved Borough.
Since then, the Trust has been selecting groups to be awarded a financial donation year on year.
Although some are consistently awarded money, their selection process allows smaller groups be represented and, if selected, help them grow within the community.
Lucy Bardner, Community Programmes Director, said: “Our grants provide essential funding to a variety of diverse groups in the borough. We carry out rigorous assessments of the viability of the projects we fund, which focus on education, recreation and support for people facing hardship."
“We support a wide range of local residents in our grants programme, from people who are homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, to isolated older people living in local villages.”
Among this year's beneficiaries is SOBS, a Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide group, which aims at supporting and bringing together survivors to help them through difficult times.
Lulu Fisher, from SOBS, said: "The aim is to create a safe and confidential environment where people can share their experiences and feelings, both giving and gaining support from each other."
As it stands, their small charity is ran by three dedicated women who devote their time to the cause.
What the funding would do for them is to enable regular visits to members of the group, meet-ups with the community, activities, and help pay for essentials to keep the charity going.