Melton resident Helen Murphy has just presented three cheques to local animal welfare charities through the charitable Fund she set up in memory of her late husband, Neil Murphy
Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation sets up personally named and directed local giving funds for local people who wish to give to local charitable causes – and it can even match some donations £1 for every £2, through a central government award of up to £500,000 for Leicestershire and Rutland.
Helen’s dog Milo ‘presented’ a cheque for £225 from the Neil Murphy Animal Welfare Fund, to Sandy McCluskey, the Manager of East Midlands Dog Rescue, Enderby. The rescue centre saved Milo’s life, and re-homed him with the Murphys.
“Milo was very weak and distressed when the Enderby centre took him in,” says Helen. “But he was a changed dog when he came to us 6 months later. I can honestly say he is the best dog we ever had. Neil doted on him”
There is, sadly, a continual stream of new dogs at the Dog Rescue, all looking for new caring owners. Sandy rescues as many as possible, including greyhounds and those who have been through the trauma of puppy farms. “We work tirelessly to re-home as many as we can, and we are very grateful for donations such as this,” says Sandy.
Pablo’s Horse Sanctuary in Long Clawson is also benefiting from the Neil Murphy Animal Welfare Fund. Carole Fielding of Pablo’s says “After the hard winter we have had, this donation was so much needed.”
Pablo’s not only rescues horses but works with volunteers. “We work with people with learning difficulties and we’ve worked the Probation and Social services too,” says Carol. “There’s a two-way benefit for horse and for human.”
Loughborough Cat Sanctuary will also benefit with a donation of £56.
The Community Foundation manages a large number of local charitable and personally named Funds for local companies and individual donors, from Mars Petcare, Bobby Dhanjal Wealth Management, Grant Thornton and Leicester Asian Business Association, to the Adopted Children’s Fund and the William Colton Youth Sports Fund. Between them they support a wide range of local needs from children to the elderly, carer respite, health issues, access to the arts, homelessness and many more. Funds named by donors and causes are selected by the donors – but it costs a fraction of what it would cost to set up a standalone charity.
“People give through the Community Foundation, not to it,” says Laura Grant, Business Engagement Executive. “And a figure of say, £10,000 can turn into £17,500 with match and gift aid. If invested, a fund like this will go on giving to the local causes you choose forever.”
“Neil cared a great deal about animals, as well as people,” says Helen. “So this fund is a fitting tribute to him and his life. It is lovely to be able to continue to give to the local causes he cared about.”
To find out more details of how to set up a fund like this, please contact Laura Grant on 07771 606 400, or at laura.grant@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk
