BRENTWOOD, Essex, 22 August, 2008 – Around 200 different community groups a year benefit from the £200,000 distributed by the Ford Britain Trust.
Latest information from the company's grant-making body describes the range of causes supported by Ford – which is set to broaden with the introduction of a new-look web page for applicants at www.ford.co.uk/fbtrust.
Set up in 1975, Ford Britain Trust supports charities, clubs, schools and other non-profit organisations near to the automotive market leader's locations at Warley, Dunton and Dagenham in Essex, at Bridgend in South Wales, at Southampton in Hampshire and at Daventry in Northamptonshire.
Andy Taylor, Ford Britain Trust director, said: "Our founder Henry Ford said in the 1920s that service to the community was of parallel importance for any business as making a profit. The Ford Britain Trust demonstrates our commitment to the well being of our neighbours in the communities we're part of in the UK."
Ford's commitment is demonstrated in a number of different ways:
Brentwood Citizens Advice Bureau
The CAB's Brentwood branch received £1,000 from Ford Britain Trust towards laptop computers used by advisers working in the community. The outreach workers use the laptops to access information required when helping clients at their place of work, in parish halls or at law courts.
Richard McLeod, CAB Brentwood manager, said: "With grateful thanks to Ford, Brentwood's CAB is able to fulfil its aim of taking its expertise, support and advice out into the community.
"With laptops advisers can link up to their information source and help clients at their workplace, local parish halls and, for those unable to travel, at home."
Bulphan Primary School, Essex
Often Ford Britain grant presentations are made by the employee who is the link between the company and recipient. Karl Griffin, of facilities management at Ford's UK headquarters in Essex, handed over £2,000 from the trust to the county's Bulphan Primary School.
He said: "Having been a Bulphan School governor for four years and with Ford for 27 years, I felt quite proud to have been able to deliver the cheque in person. The funding will go towards a quiet area in the grounds for use by all ages and abilities."
Brentwood Theatre
Theatre goers in Ford UK's home town, Brentwood, are enjoying productions with crystal clear sound effects thanks to £3,000 from Ford Britain Trust for a new sound system.
David Zelly, theatre production manager, said: "We breathed a huge sigh of relief when this cheque arrived. Our old system started to fail last year, after fourteen years of continuous use. Brentwood Theatre is delighted that this award recognises our position in the community."
Away from Essex, Ford Britain Trust is also active in other parts of the country which are home to Ford employees and their families.
Welsh Brain Injured Children
The British Institute for Brain Injured Children has put a £2,000 Ford Britain Trust donation towards a new car to support the charity's work in South Wales, where the company has an engine plant in Bridgend.
The Roberts Centre, Hampshire
Portsmouth's Roberts Centre is a child-centred charity offering support and assistance to families facing homelessness or dealing with relationship breakdowns.
Centre manager Carole Damper acknowledged £2,000 from Ford Britain Trust: "The trust's support over the years has been great. It was good to meet staff from the Ford Southampton plant." The Roberts Centre is within 20 miles of the company's Transit assembly plant.
Northamptonshire's and District Film Society
Film lovers from the Badby district near Daventry, where Ford's UK distribution centre ships parts to dealerships, have benefitted from £1,300 from the Ford Britain Trust.