Community groups in the Harborough area get a share of just over £30,000, thanks to the Market Harborough Building Society Charitable Foundation

Market Harborough Building Society Charitable Foundation has handed out over £30,000 to community groups in 2020.

Community organisations throughout the Market Harborough area have received a total of £31,580 from the building society – which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.

Two grants were awarded to help groups meet increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grants were made to:

- WizeUp – provides valuable financial education to students with Robert Smyth Academy benefiting during the year

- Market Harborough Chess Club – new chess equipment

- Cransley Sailing Club – clubhouse refurbishment

- Lowick & Slipton Parish Council – defibrillator

- Sibbertoft Reading Room – new roller blinds

- Hallaton Primary School – artificial grass for new outdoor play area

- Women’s Aid Leicestershire – furniture and equipment for refuges (Covid-19 funding)

- Leicestershire South Foodbank – supporting operational costs during Covid-19

- 1084 (Market Harborough) Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC) – new musical instruments

- Desborough Library – kitchen refurbishment

- Home-Start Northampton – volunteer training

- Harborough Youth & Community Trust (The Cube) – for a wooden gazebo

- Market Harborough Cricket & Squash Club – a new shed for storage

- Lenthall House Community Garden (Elderberries) – to build a remembrance garden.

Mark Robinson, the building society’s chief executive, said the Charitable Foundation has just celebrated its 20th year.

He said the Foundation has been proud to support almost 400 charities with grants totalling £296,000 over the last two decades.

It was set up to back voluntary and charitable organisations across Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

“We are looking forward to continuing this support for the next 20 years and beyond,” said Mark.