Our part of the world is rich in charities doing good things for people. Many of them are fairly robust with healthy income streams. And that’s great. Others are smaller affairs where a few pounds can make all the difference.
That’s why this newspaper has teamed up with the Vodafone store in Tunbridge Wells to find a local charity that most deserves a £1,000 donation.
The winning cause could be anything from a new oven for a kitchen that feeds homeless people to books to help young people learning to read.
Polly Taylor is co-founder of one of the most successful charities in area, Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre in Tunbridge Wells. She told the Times: “This is a wonderful idea because £1,000 can make such a difference to small charities or ones that are just starting out. It’s lovely to recognise the important role these organisations play in the life of our town. I wish all of those who enter lots of luck.”
The funding forms part of the Vodafone Community Connection Awards, which was launched nationwide in 2014 to mark the ongoing expansion of the telecoms company.
Previous winners of £1,000 have included Homestart in Broadstairs, which connects volunteers with families whose children are going through times of stress, and Brixington Lunch Club in Devon, which offers a social environment for the elderly, among others.
Robert Apps, Vodafone Store Manager in Tunbridge Wells, said: “We’re delighted to team up with the Times of Tunbridge Wells and the Times of Tonbridge to offer the award.
“We’re keen to play our part as members of the local community and we know there are some really deserving causes out there, working hard to make a difference – we hope they will put themselves forward.”
THE CRITERIA…
Any charity that wants to be considered must meet the following five criteria:
- It should be a local charity that makes a significant impact on the local community
- It cannot be a personal or individual plight, nor a government-funded organisation
- The award must also be for a specific project or purpose, rather than just to cover operating costs
- The award must be stand-alone rather than form any part of a larger contribution or bigger appeal
- Nominees must have a registered charity number
HOW TO ENTER…
All you have to do is send us full details of your charity, with its registered number. Those details must tell us when the charity was founded, who runs it, why it was established and what approximately its annual income stands at. And in no more than 100 words tell us why you feel your charity should receive £1,000 and what you will do with the money.
Closing date for entries is Friday July 22, 2016
Entries should be sent to:
Charity Award
Times of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge
16 Lonsdale Gardens
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 1NU
You can also email the details to:Â info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
The winner will be chosen by the Times and Vodafone. Their decision will be final.
