MHBS Provide Over £30,000 To Community Groups

Market Harborough Building Society has given over £30,000 to charities and community groups this year.

Some of the grants from the society’s Charitable Foundation have been to assist their work during the pandemic.

Staff also raised over £8,000 for the Air Ambulance Service, their charity of the year, after taking part in a walking, running, swimming and cycling challenge last month – clocking up nearly 4,000 miles between them.

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

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.