2019 WESTERN AREA WINNERS

ANNOUNCED

The 18^th Community Chest Awards were held at the Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum in October 2018.  Since it was established in 2002, the Community Chest has now awarded more than £600,000 to help local groups and organisations.  The panel of judges consisted of Fiona Dart, editor of the Blackmore Vale Magazine; Grant Robson from the Dorset Community Foundation; independent judges Colin Brady and Marilyn Barber together with Mark Woodhouse, Lucinda Gray and Andy Wing who represented Hall & Woodhouse.

Family Director Mark Woodhouse welcomed the award winners and guests, who included Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell, and High Sheriff of Dorset Philip Warr plus other local civic leaders, explaining that the company’s purpose was to “make people’s day, enriching our communities from generation to generation”.

156 applications were received for grants totalling over £305,000.  From these 21 lucky organisations were selected to receive a share of £24,825 with grants ranging from £300 to £3,000.  The smaller amounts were each requested by Club 21 in Poole to buy a small shed and to Shaftesbury & District Carers for gardening equipment.  The £3,000 was awarded to The Luccombe Hub based in Milton Abbas, which provides therapeutic alternative education for children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education due to a range of social and communication problems which can result in challenging behaviour.  The grant will buy laptops and equipment that will enable learners who struggle with motor skills, and therefore writing, to complete their project learning as well as use them for IT skill training.