A group established to administer £250,000 donated by chemical company for the benefit of the Billingham and Wilton communities as it exited the area has passed a fundraising milestone of its own.

The Billingham Legacy Foundation (BLF) has achieved its aim of generating a further £100,000 in the last ten years as a result of its own fundraising activities.

Hundreds of individuals and causes in the Billingham area have been supported through BLF in the 21 years since ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) made its 'legacy' donation via its Teesside Operations Director at the time, Bob Wasson.

The money, raised by BLF and the hard working volunteers in its separate Supporters Group, is invested on their behalf by the Stockton-based Tees Valley Community Foundation (TVCF) with the interest earned each year being donated to good causes by BLF.

The combination of sound investment by TVCF and energetic fundraising by the Supporters Group means the amount available to support the Billingham community has grown year on year.

Vice Chair Kevin Pitt was one of the founders of BLF along with local businessman Roger Black.

Each invested £1 to launch the fundraising process and both have been astonished by its success since.

Mr Pitt said: “We set ourselves a target of raising £10,000 a year, but to have actually done it is wonderful and testament to the hard work of the Supporters Group and the generosity of the people and businesses of Billingham and the surrounding area.”

Mr Black added: The strength of the Foundation depends on the commitment of our community to invest in itself and - by working together - local people have ensured that the ‘seed’ planted by ICI has grown into something that will be sustainable and of tangible benefit to the community for years to come."

Hugh McGouran, CEO of TVCF, said: “It’s been a privilege to maximise the use of our funds to make such a fantastic result possible and to work with such brilliant people who are a credit to their community.”

BLF is run on a voluntary basis by a Foundation Board of Trustees drawn from people within the community representing a variety of groups and organisations.

These include the Billingham Environmental Link Programme, Billingham Community Network, Northern Locality Forum, Billingham Town Council, Stockton Town Council and the Churches Together in Billingham organisation.

Terry Waldron of Sembcorp, who was a former ICI press officer, has been BLF’s independent chair for the past six years.

Members of the Billingham Community submit applications for funding which supports individuals, groups, organisations, business or the public sector within the area, that, in the view of the Board of Trustees, support developments within the community.

Anyone wanting further details on Billingham Legacy Foundation can call 07951 483774 or visit www.billinghamlegacyfoundation.co.uk/.

The group is also on Facebook.