News
Southend Colourthon
The Southend Colourthon is five years old and still going strong! This years event will be held on Saturday 2 July and walkers from across the area are being invited to register to take part and raise money for their chosen charities. We would be delighted if you would be willing to walk on behalf of the Southend Fund. You can register as a walker by clicking here or find out more at www.colourthon.org. To make your fundraising just a little bit easier, why not create a JustGiving page and you can do this via Essex Community Foundation's page. When you create your page just mention the Southend Fund in the text and the Community Foundation will make sure that the money comes to us.
Ladies Day raises money for the Southend Fund
Over 110 glamorous ladies enjoyed a great 'ladies day' at Maxims Casino in Westcliff to raise money for the Southend Fund. They were treated to a Fashion show by Ravens of Southend, a cookery demonstration by top chef Matthew Locker of the Bank restaurant in Leigh on Sea and a delicious meal from Maxims. By the time Grassroots uplift had been added to the total the day raised over £3000 which is a fantastic result. Our thanks go to all who attended and supported so generously. Thanks also to Julie Cushion, the Southend Fund committee member who arranged the entire day so well.
Climbing Kilimanjaro for the Southend Fund
David Hurst, a long standing member of the Southend Fund committee, has successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Fund. He reached the summit on 25th June after 7 days of climbing.
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa (19,500ft) and is certainly bigger than anything we have in Southend! David funded the trip himself but collected donations for the Fund via the Just Giving website. He has raised £2265 so far which with Gift Aid and Grassroots uplift should reach over £4000! You can still support his fantastic effort by visiting his JustGiving page by clicking here. Please help if you can and well done David.
Green Army Ltd Supports the Southend Fund
A group of teenagers have chosen to support the Southend Fund as part of their business initiative.
Southend High School for Boys (and Girls!) takes part in the Youth Enterprise Scheme where students are encouraged to set up their own companies and run business activities to learn about the world of commerce. One group called their company 'Green Army Ltd' and organised a dance event which included a performance by the former UK street dance champion Connor Turner and his 'champion in waiting' Alex Muirden.
The event was a great success but the question arose of what to do with the proceeds? Obviously the management commitee did not want to be accused of taking 'Fat Cat' bonuses nor did they want to pay enormous sums in Corporation Tax so they decided that a donation to a local charity was the best solution. The Southend Fund, with its offer of a Grassroots uplift was the obvious choice.
"We thought it would be a great investment"
Their Managing Director, Sophie Gaze, said "When we heard about the Southend Fund helping so many local charities and getting 50% extra from the Government we thought it would be great investment".
So far the company has donated £50 which will become £75 with Grassroots match funding but the young entrepreneurs have not stopped there and are now working on other match funding opportunities to increase the value of their gift.