A County Durham charity determined to help local people in any way it can has been awarded just under £1,000 from Newsquest’s Cash for Charities scheme.
The Angel Trust in Bishop Auckland has a foodbank, a community pantry, organises various community events and grants wishes for those in desperate need. Its newest venture is a cookery school teaching people to prepare cheap, tasty, and nutritious meals.
Recently, the charity organised a huge toy appeal for children from less affluent families who may not otherwise have had a gift to open on December 25.
Staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure each child received a gift personalised to them, rather than generic presents.
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Since 2018, the charity has fought for the rights of ordinary people across Bishop Auckland and the surrounding areas and the Trust has now been offered £889.87 from Newsquest’s parent company, the Gannet Foundation.
The £16,000 giveaway was shared among nine charities spanning Bradford, York, Cumbria, and County Durham.
Clair McGregor, founder of The Angel Trust, previously told The Northern Echo: “In the course of our work with the Foodbank it has quickly become apparent that our service users require support with cooking skills and healthy eating advice, specifically young families and the elderly.
"We plan to create a Cookery School to offer free classes teaching economical and nutritious recipes to those most in need e.g healthy options for children, four meals from a chicken, cooking for one etc. This grant would help us with equipment and appliances towards this project.”
The charity also provides social events for the local community including Ladies Day at Hardwick Hall, and for this year’s event Martin Kemp entertained the crowds.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues and people across our region face a tough winter ahead, The Angel Trust is doing what it can to support families and individuals who would otherwise be in danger of falling through the cracks.
Other charities in County Durham to receive cash from the grant scheme are Quinn’s Retreat, just outside Barnard Castle, and Heel & Toe children’s charity in Pelton.
Read next:
- Parents welcome festive bundle of joy into the world on Christmas Day
- Echo's Put in a Pound campaign reaches £3k milestone thanks to readers' generosity
- 'Clearly this is needed in Darlington': Restaurant opens its doors on Christmas Day
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