Cambridgeshire Community Foundation hosted its final 20th anniversary event of the year on Thursday 5th December at Peterborough Cathedral, focusing on its impact in Peterborough.
It featured a special welcome by the charity's President, Julie Spence OBE QPM CStJ, followed by Christmas carolling led by Peterborough Take Note Community Choir and organist, David Humphreys.
The night also featured a guest performance from Peterborough-based singer, Gabriella Pineda-Rodrigues.
The celebration highlighted two decades of supporting local communities, demonstrating the impact of investing in community-led change to build a more vibrant, equitable county.
Since being founded in 2004, Cambridgeshire Community Foundation has set up and managed over 100 charitable funds on behalf of philanthropic individuals and families, businesses, local and national government, and trusts. Over the last two decades, it has awarded over 10,000 grants totalling over £32 million. These grants have supported thousands of local non-profits, including charities, community groups, sports clubs and schools, spanning every ward in Cambridgeshire and tackling a range of issues, from health and education to homelessness and the environment.
Over 50 of the Foundation's funded charities and groups attended the festive event in Peterborough.
They are tackling some of the key community issues highlighted by the Foundation’s latest Vital Signs report, including health inequalities, rising homelessness, and a high youth crime rate in Peterborough.
As we conclude our 20th anniversary celebrations, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our work over the last two decades. Our impact wouldn’t have been possible without our valued supporters and the incredible charities and community groups that, with the help our grants, have truly made our county a better place and helped some of the most disadvantaged members of our community.
Whilst we are not quick to dismiss what we have achieved, the sobering reality is that we still face some serious challenges in our community, highlighted by our latest Vital Signs report.
We are still forced to turn away a staggering number of eligible applicants due to insufficient funding to meet the demand we are experiencing.
This shows just how much work remains to create lasting, positive change in our community.
As we look ahead, we are looking to develop new partnerships with local individuals, businesses and public sector partners who are eager to support local, community-driven change.
Michael O'Toole, CEO
As part of the Foundation’s future focus on addressing some of the most significant disadvantages faced by the Peterborough community, a new Peterborough Fund was announced at the event. Local businesses are invited to support the fund and make a difference in their community. To find out how your business could help, get in touch with Michael O'Toole. Email michael@cambscf.org.uk
The Foundation’s anniversary celebrations, including Carols at the Cathedral, are kindly supported by The Cambridge Building Society, Rathbones and Cheffins.
