Six London-based charities have earned a share of the £1.12million fund in a year which has proved financially challenging for many organisations.
Among them was Age UK Lewisham and Southwark, which was granted £5,000 from The Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards at a time when it reported a £119,558 shortfall in the financial year ending 31 March 2024.
The charity is a self-funded and provides holistic support for older people in the two London boroughs, with CEO Ross Diamond expressing his gratitude for the contribution.
Diamond said: “During the continued rising cost of living, people need our support more than ever and our services are struggling to meet the demand in the current financial climate.
“This donation helps us reach more people and have lifechanging conversations sooner.
“On behalf of our staff, volunteers and older people, thank you.
“You are helping create a world where we can all love later life.”
Lewisham recorded a 9.8% increase in residents aged 65 and older, and a poverty rate of 28% according to data from the 2021 census.
The Trust for London reported almost a third of the poorest 20% in London were pensioners in 2023/24, accounting for the increased demand for charitable support.
Age UK Lewisham and Southwark works to tackle poverty and isolation, as well as promote wellbeing and community for older people through their almost 100 employees and 500 volunteers.
The Benefact Group is an international collective of specialist financial services committed to donating all its available profits to charity.
They have this year reached their pledge of donating £250million to a diverse range of causes since 2014, making them the third-largest corporate donor in the UK over a decade.
The other five London charities to benefit were awarded £1,000 each.
The Ryan Neuro Therapy Centre provides exercise classes and physiotherapy to over 100 people with neurological conditions every week.
Annual costs for the centre are around £315,000, none of which is covered by government funding.
iPartner India has raised over £9million for more than 90 programmes combatting the sex trafficking of young girls through education and employment across 22 Indian and Nepalese states in the last decade.
The Pelorus Foundation works with individuals and communities to protect wildlife across the globe.
The Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team supports and facilitates wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans, with some athletes even going on to compete on the world stage.
The Separated Child Foundation is a small charity that aids refugees under the age of 21 arriving in Britain without parents.
In the financial year ending 30 June, 2024, the foundation reported their income fell £87,572, the biggest shortfall in the last five years.
Benefact Group chief executive Mark Hews said: “We’re delighted to donate over £1million to good causes each year through our Movement for Good Awards and are grateful to all our supporters.”
Featured image: Free to use from Unsplash
