The Old Mill Fund, the charitable arm of Wells-based financial experts Old Mill, has achieved the impressive milestone of awarding £50,000 in grants to grassroots good causes across Somerset, Devon, and Wiltshire.

The fund was launched over three years ago as part of Old Mill's long-term commitment to support local charities by partnering with the Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) grant-making charity.

The Old Mill Fund has awarded more than 40 grants, totalling £50,000, to local charities that fit within the fund's three key objectives: building brighter futures, reducing rural loneliness, and strengthening communities. The money is raised through donations directly from Old Mill, personal contributions, and fundraising by staff at the company's four offices in Wells, Yeovil, Chippenham, and Exeter.

Twice a year, Somerset, Devon, and Wiltshire Community Foundations assess applications received from inspiring local projects that fit within the fund's objectives. Old Mill then chooses the projects they'd most like to support. Charities that have received grants from the Old Mill Fund include Sweet Track Counselling Agency, Open Arms East Devon, and Wiltshire Treehouse.

Wiltshire Treehouse provides bereavement support for children, young people, and families in Swindon and Wiltshire.

Following a huge increase in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the grant from The Old Mill Fund is helping them to continue to provide these vital services.

Two other charities chosen this year include Doorway, a Chippenham-based project that supports vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness or housing issues, and Youth Resource Services part of The Rendezvous, a youth project in Yeovil and Sherborne.

The grant will provide one-to-one maths and English tutoring for young people who struggle in traditional educational settings.

Laura Blake, Philanthropy Director at the Somerset Community Fund, spoke about the partnership with Old Mill, saying, "Our partnership with Old Mill is a very special one. The firm's donations to The Old Mill Fund have helped us provide more vital funding for small, local charities working to support young people, improve people's mental health and invest in strengthening local communities."

Jon Orchard, Partner at Old Mill, helps manage the fund and has personally raised over £2,500 through various sponsored events, including a 45-mile run and strapping himself to the top of a stunt plane.

He said about reaching the £50,000 milestone, "We are naturally very proud of this achievement, and the benefit the grants have had in the local communities that we work in. We certainly don't want to stop here and our aim is to continue to raise awareness of the Old Mill fund and the various community foundations."

The Old Mill Fund is managed by local Community Foundations in Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire and charities or groups looking to apply for funding from it can do so via their local community foundation's grants programme using the links below:

• Somerset Community Foundation https://www.somersetcf.org.uk/
• Wiltshire Community Foundation https://www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/
• Devon Community Foundation https://devoncf.com/

If you'd like to make a one-off or regular donation to the Fund, visit https://tinyurl.com/OldMillFund