James Brown & Sons has been committed to serving the people of greater Belfast since 1904 and this year launched the first ever James Brown & Sons Community Fund, to support charities and not-for-profit organisatons benefitting local people in the heart of Belfast and the surrounding areas.
The first six successful applicants to be awarded their share of the overall fund were invited to a special presentation hosted by James Brown & Sons on Belfast’s Newtownards Road.
Building Bridges Community Boxing Club, located in north Belfast, was awarded funding to purchase equipment for its ‘Making A Difference’ project, an eight-week fitness programme aimed at improving the physical health and wellbeing of its participants.
East Belfast Mission, located in east Belfast, was awarded funding for a celebration day. The event will celebrate education and success while promoting increased community engagement for the future.
Nettlefield Multi-sports, located in south Belfast, was awarded funding for its ‘Books to Boots’ programme, incorporating sporting sessions with education to help foster good relations locally and encourage parents to get involved in their children’s education.
Rainbow Alley, located in south Belfast, was awarded funding for garden benches to be situated in a community garden, an initiative which neighbours of Reid Street started during lockdown
Claire Higgs (pink), Laura Murray (dress) and Kelly Donnachie (yellow), Rainbow Alley
Scaffolding Project at EastSide Partnership, located in east Belfast, was awarded funding for its Uniform Scheme. The funding will provide vouchers for families in need of assistance with purchasing school uniforms for secondary school aged children.
The Olive Branch, located in east Belfast, was awarded funding for equipment associated with a poverty and social deprivation project. Alongside providing refreshments this will provide a space for friendships to be formed and where people find support relating to their specific needs.
Rev Sammy Robinson, The Olive Branch
Congratulating the first James Brown & Sons Community Fund recipients, James Brown said: “It is an honour to reach out into the local area with our newly launched James Brown & Sons Community Fund and provide practical assistance through this funding to enable grassroots projects to be undertaken, which will make a real difference to people in the local area. It gives me great pleasure to recognise these wonderful organisations in this way and I wish them well in achieving the aims of their very worthwhile projects. I look forward to seeing how the funding is put to good use over the coming weeks and months”
The next funding round will be open for applications from 25 July until 25 August. Grants of between £300 and £1,500 are available. Applicants must demonstrate how they improve the quality of life for local residents and the wider community. Projects applying for the fund should apply by email in no more than 500 words aligning to James Brown & Sons funding focus areas: Health, Education, Employment Opportunities and Poverty/Social Deprivation.
For further information and to apply to the fund, please find guide and application form below or email jamesbrowncommunityfund@funeralpartners.com.
