The Town and Manor of Hungerford is celebrating a major achievement after almost doubling the grant funding it’s given this year to local organisations and residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
In 2022, almost £21,000 has been distributed to a range of organisations and projects, as well as recipients of the Constable’s Hungerford Fund – up from £11,100 last year.
Giving financial support to projects and organisations within Hungerford for the benefit of local people, is one of the aims of the Town and Manor, which is a registered charity itself.
This year its support has included help for those residents most in need, through the match funding of public donations to the Constable’s Hungerford Fund.
The Constable of the Town and Manor of Hungerford, Julie Lloyd, said:
In what has been such a difficult year financially for so many individuals and organisations in our town, I am glad we have been able to play our part and increase the level of support via our annual grant funding.
I know it means so much to those who have been in receipt of donations, this year and in previous years, and we thank all the organisations for the contribution they make to the fabric of our local community.
JULIE LLOYD, CONSTABLE OF THE TOWN AND MANOR OF HUNGERFORD
Hungerford Town Band and the Hungerford Youth and Community Centre are just two of the groups to receive vital funding support in the latest round of grant donations.
Charlie Barr, Chair of Trustees at the Hungerford Youth and Community Centre, said that without the Town and Manor, the youth centre would not be here today.
The centre has received £3,500 this year, following a grant of £4,000 in 2021, to help meet running costs. Both grants were match funded by The Good Exchange, a not-for-profit online platform that matches donors, fundraisers or funders with local charitable projects and other good causes.
“The Trustees of the Town and Manor have always shown a great interest in the youth and community centre,” said Charlie.
Their ongoing support has been key in making certain that this important local venue stays open and that young people in Hungerford are listened to and championed.
Charlie Barr, Chair of Trustees at the Hungerford Youth and Community Centre
The charity is also a long-time supporter of Hungerford Town Band, which relies on donations, lottery funding and its own fundraising activity, to ensure it can meet annual running costs.
In 2021, the Town and Manor supported the band with a £1,000 donation and a further £1,500 this year, both of which were match funded by The Good Exchange.
Hungerford Town Band’s Musical Director, Tim Crouter, said the financial support of the Town and Manor was vital. The band’s costs run into several thousand pounds per year, particularly rehearsal room rental and instrument insurance, both of which require a considerable outlay.
There are a number of additional costs too, including uniforms, as well as replacing and updating musical instruments and entering National Band Championships.
Alongside the fundraising concerts and other events we stage, Hungerford Town and Manor’s grant money is such an important element of the financial help we get and everyone associated with the band really appreciates it.
Tim Crouter, Hungerford Town Band’s Musical Director
Constable Julie Lloyd said the charity has always been proud to support both the band and the community centre over a number of years now.
We are extremely fortunate to have such a successful, active, and of course very talented, band in our community
JULIE LLOYD, CONSTABLE OF THE TOWN AND MANOR OF HUNGERFORD
“We also know how hardworking the team who run the band are and we are proud that the charity can help support them in the vital contribution they make to the town. An equally vital contribution is that of the youth community centre. It is such an important facility at the heart of Hungerford, and the team there do a fantastic job.”
The Constable’s Hungerford Fund was launched in August in response to the growing cost of living crisis and has raised more than £23,000, which is being distributed as one-off payments to eligible households who apply.
Donations can still be made until the fund closes at midnight on Saturday 31st December. More details can be found on the Constable’s Hungerford Fund page.
For more details on how to apply for a grant from the Town and Manor of Hungerford, please email admin@townandmanor.co.uk
