£137k boost to the community with latest Louis Baylis trust grants

Nearly 80 community projects and organisations have shared £137,350 in the latest round of donations from the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust.

Unique among local newspapers, Advertiser publisher Baylis Media Ltd is owned by the trust which receives at least 80 per cent of its operating profits every year.

Twice a year the trustees meet to decide on applications for grants – but they will also approve urgent donations at other times of the year if needed.

The latest round of donations was made on Friday and went to a wide range of charities and organisations. While some money went to national charities which benefit the area, as usual the lion’s share went to organisations in our community.

Charities providing vital services such as People to Places and the Citizens Advice Bureau received regular funding and there was support for other small charities providing essential help and services.

Grassroots sport also benefited with grants to support football, rowing, golf, gymnastics and judo.

Also helped were community events, youth groups, music and the arts and support for individuals through funding for the RBWM sport and art bursaries scheme. Organisations supporting children and adults with a variety of medical conditions also benefited from grants.

Trust chairman Peter Sands said more organisations had been supported, reflecting the greater number of applications being received.

He added: “As well as our regular distribution, new to our list is help towards restarting Maidenhead Judo Club enabling them to purchase essential equipment as well as giving help to allow financially disadvantaged youngsters to take up the sport.

“Also we are supporting Chattertots which is a new charity helping children with Downs Syndrome with speech and language therapy.

Mr Sands continued: “We are continuing to contribute across all areas but the increase in applications shows the growing pressure on local groups and organisations.”

Donations in full:

Maidenhead Club for the Blind £1,000

Relate: £2,000

Maidenhead Citizens Advice Bureau £12,500

Salvation Army: £2,000

People to Places: £7,500

Berkshire MS Therapy Centre £2,500

Thames Valley Adventure Playground £1,000

Family Friends in Windsor & Maidenhead £3,000

SportsAble £1,000

Great Ormond Street Hospital £1,000

Air Ambulance £1,000

Thames HospiceCare £3,000

Sue Ryder Home £2,000

Maidenhead Heritage Trust £1,000

Maidenhead Christmas Lights £5,000

Slough Canal Festival £2,500

Rotary Club of Maidenhead Thames schools essays contest £1,500

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts £3,000

Holyport Youth Club £250

The Berkshire Masonic Charity £5,000

Cracker Appeal £5,000

Lions Club Swimarathon £1,500

Shakespeare As You Like It £2,000

Adult Dyslexia £1,500

Mencap £2,000

Littlewick Green Show Society £1,500

British Forces Foundation £1,000

Yeldall Christian Centres £1,000

Swimmobility £2,000

Rotary Boundary Walk £300

Berkshire Masons Children's Panto outing £2,000

Holyport Darby & Joan Club £600

Maidenhead United Community Trust £2,500

Rivertime Boat Trust £1,000

Maidenhead Choral Society £500

Maidenhead Music Society £500

Maidenhead Festival of Music and Dance £1,500

Beehive Pre-School £500

Maidenhead Town Partnership £3,000

Link Foundation £2,000

Windsor & Maidenhead Community Forum £1,000

Cookham Reach Sailing Club £500

RBWM Sports & Arts Bursary £6,000

Maidenhead Golf Club Juniors £350

Maidenhead Rotaract Club £500

Target Ovarian Cancer £1,000

Windsor Horse Rangers £2,000

Wooburn Festival £500

Jubilee Community Church £440

Slough Christmas Lights £2,500

Sebastian's Action Trust £2,500

Eton Excelsior Rowing Club £500

The Sequela Foundation £1,000

Royal Marines Association £1,000

Montgomery Holloway Music Trust £1,000

Boyne Hill Boys & Girls Football Club £1,000

Re:Charge R&R £3,000

Burnham Guide Supporters £1,000

Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society £500

Stage One Youth £1,000

Maidenhead Warriors Football Club £600

Phoenix Gymnastics Club £2,000

Maidenhead Cat Rescue £500

First Maidenhead Sea Scouts £2,250

Helen House £1,000

Reading Myeloma Support Group £420

Maidenhead Judo Club £1,940

Chattertots £1,500

Windsor Fringe £300

Dedworth Green First School £1,000

Swan Lifeline £1,000

Lions Club Prostate Awareness Event £1,500

Singing for Lung Health Maidenhead £500

9th Maidenhead (URC) Scout Group £900

Friends of Maidenhead £1,000

Maidenhead Men in Sheds £1,000

Maidenhead Sports and Social Club £2,500

Eagles Netball Club £500

TOTAL: £137,350