Chairman’s Blog – December 2021
Since Guildford Philanthropy was launched in 2014 we have generated over £1m to help those most in need across our local community.
Thank you to our Corporate Ambassadors
Special guests included the HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux, the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Marsha Moseley, the High Steward, Leader of the Council, Cllr Joss Bigmore, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Julia McShane, the new, and first ever, joint Chief Executive of Guildford and Waverley Councils, Tom Horwood, MP Angela Richardson and the President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Surrey, Max Lu.
Guildford Jazz raises over £5,500
“It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying live Jazz music in the beautiful Castle Grounds. We really appreciate everyone who attended and supported us. We managed to raise over £5,500 which is a staggering amount of money. We aim to help less advantaged members of our community and this money will go towards helping people who need support. Special thanks to Guildford Jazz, Picante, Guildford Borough Council and everyone who helped put this event together.”
“Raising awareness and finding new donors is a constant challenge which is why we are so grateful to Guildford Jazz and to everyone who attended. We also encourage local businesses to get involved. We currently have 26 organisations signed up as Corporate Ambassadors, including Guildford Jazz, who we bring together to both network and help their local community.”
Chairman’s Blog – August 2021
In May, I attended and cut the ribbon at the opening of The Matrix Trust’s social enterprise café, The Hideaway, which we funded. The Matrix Trust helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children in the borough, and The Hideaway Café will raise money to fund activities for these young people. Located in the heart of Guildford, in the Allen House Pavilion, The Hideaway offers the perfect place to socialise and enjoy tea, coffee and maybe even a piece of cake. I would highly recommend a visit.
Our response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic
Although this has been one of the most difficult periods of our lives, we have seen communities in Guildford come together to support one another and we have a newfound level of respect for the NHS, who have been magnificent.
100 laptops donated to Guildford schools
We have helped more local school children study online with the donation of another 50 laptops to Kings College and Guildford Grove Primary School.
Thank You from the Big Leaf Foundation
Since arriving at riding school, with a placement which was partly funded by Guildford Philanthropy, his smile has returned. The most wonderful thing is that the stables have now offered him a voluntary work experience position at weekends.
Live Jazz at Guildford Castle Grounds
Guildford Jazz brings live Latin music to the award-winning Guildford Castle grounds on Saturday 11 September, to help raise money for Guildford Philanthropy.
Mayor’s Community Heroes Award
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, we have been supporting our residents in Guildford by working with charities like Foodwise TLC, helping them to provide over 30,000 cooked meals for over 300 vulnerable families in the first four months of the outbreak. We’ve given 14 grants totalling over £141,000, supported a number of local charities and donated 50 laptops, which Corporate Ambassadors Unigold 2000 helped procure, to Kings College so their students could continue online studies at home.
Chairman’s Blog – March 2021
Philanthropy is defined as the desire to promote the well-being of others, and since its establishment by Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey in early 2014, Guildford Philanthropy has sought to raise awareness and improve the lives of disadvantaged people across the borough.
