SEGRO, a leading owner, manager and developer of warehousing and industrial space, has launched a new £10 million Centenary Fund which will be used over the next decade to make a positive impact within communities in the UK and Continental Europe, including in Leicestershire. The majority of the first year’s funding of more than £1 million will be allocated to projects which provide emergency relief and which will help address the longer-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEGRO is partnering with Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, an independent charity which enables local philanthropy by giving grants to “unsung unseen” charitable and voluntary groups that keep cities and counties healthy, safe and thriving. The Community Foundation also helps to identify charity partners which will make immediate and meaningful interventions within Leicestershire communities. Charities which provide support to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are interested in applying for funding should contact grants@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk.
David Sleath, Chief Executive of SEGRO, said: “The SEGRO Centenary Fund is one way of recognising the vital role our communities have played in our success over the last 100 years and making sure we give something back by helping thousands of people now and over the next decade.
“Many of the areas where we invest are characterised by high levels of unemployment and social deprivation. We understand the long term need to ensure people from all backgrounds have the skills, training and opportunities to secure meaningful employment. These are the areas where we are focusing the SEGRO Centenary Fund and where we feel we can make a significant difference to people’s lives.
“However, in the near term, we cannot ignore the potentially devastating and long-lasting socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, we are accelerating the launch of the Centenary Fund and broadening its purpose to help address urgent needs in our communities during this time of crisis.”
Katy Green, Chief Executive, Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation said:
“The SEGRO Centenary Fund is a welcome and exciting fund, and Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation is deeply appreciative that SEGRO has diverted the Fund for this first year to those hardest hit by COVID-19 in the North West Leicestershire area. This is an area that already faces challenges in terms of employment and related issues and SEGRO’s much needed support for the charitable and voluntary groups working with and in local communities will have real impact. We have long experience of delivering grants into local communities and are delighted to be working with SEGRO.”
The SEGRO Centenary Fund will build on and extend the company’s long-standing and well-established approach to community engagement and support, representing a 10-year commitment to help improve the lives of tens of thousands of people.
It was originally intended to be launched on 19 May to coincide with the 100th anniversary of SEGRO’s establishment, however the plans have been revised to provide urgent support to members of the community who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first year, funds will be used to help a variety of charities to provide basic necessities, such as food, medicines and household essentials, and to support other initiatives which will help alleviate the impact of the crisis.
In the longer term, the fund will focus on community projects which help young and disadvantaged people into employment and will create community spaces to support people’s training, health and wellbeing.
