Funeral Director’s first Community Assistance Programme helps local charities

A Funeral Directors which has been proudly supporting the people of North Down for more than 60 years has given grants to five local causes following the launch of their first ever community funding initiative.

The John Gray & Co Community Assistance Programme invited projects within one mile of their funeral homes in Bangor, Holywood and Newtownards to apply for small grants to continue their outstanding work.

The aim of the initiative is to support causes led by people who have a clear understanding of community issues and that address the needs of the most disadvantaged people in the local area. 

The successful applicants were: 

• Kilcooley Women’s Centre, Bangor to assist the Bangor Social Supermarket
• Bangor First Presbyterian Church to go towards their Warm Welcome Space
• Camphill Community, Holywood  to purchase garden furniture for Riverside House – a residential home for adults with learning disabilities
• Redburn Loughview Community Forum to get more young people involved in their shared community garden project 
• Ladybird Children’s Services, Bangor to purchase a sensory floor rug, to enhance the centre’s emotional support provision

The project, which will enter its next round of funding applications on January 8, has been supported by John Gray & Co Funeral Directors’ parent company Funeral Partners.

Funeral Manager Barbara Wilson has been co-ordinating the fund, and said she was thrilled to be able to have supported so many worthwhile causes.

“It has been great to hear from the people involved in these brilliant projects across our communities,” she said.

“These are challenging economic times for charities and I am so proud we’ve been able to help them.

“We don’t want these grants to be the end of the matter and we are looking forward to building relationships with them for the future.

“If you think this is something which could benefit your scheme or charity, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.”

For more information about the Community Assistance Programme, visit https://www.johngrayfuneraldirectors.com/community-assistance-programme/