Help charity to help others

A CHARITY which has handed out more than £25 million to community groups is appealing for a fresh wave of donations.

South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) is celebrating its 30th year supporting local communities and kicking off its celebrations by launching a new fund programme for the benefit of people in the county.

More than 7,000 grants have been given out since the foundation was formed in 1986.

Volunteer trustee Julie MacDonald this week invited contributions to the 30th Anniversary Community Fund, which has a £30,000 target.

“What is great about the 30th Anniversary Community Fund is that once groups start benefiting, the people who donate to the fund will be able to say: ‘I did that’,” she said.

“It is the feel good factor and that sense of community that I think sometimes we lose.

“We all know that we have need in our community, the same as everywhere else and this is a really simple way to help your own.

“Whether someone gives £3 or £3,000 they can be assured it will be helping someone is their community.

“It could be your next door neighbour, your grandson, your children - it will be helping someone in your life.”

One of the groups funded by SYCF is Just Another Dance Event (JADE) based in Dinnington.

Ruth Willis, chief executive of SYCF said: “JADE is one of the groups that we have had the pleasure of working with since 2007.

“Comparing when we gave them that first grant award so they could get started compared to where they are now, doing so much good, is so rewarding.”

To donate to the fund or to find out more visit the SYCF website www.sycf.org.uk/30_Years or visit https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/sycf/anniversary.