Rallying to support town after devastating fire On 8 December 2024, the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale was hit by a devastating fire, which directly impacted 100 residential properties and 84 business properties in the town centre, leaving one person dead and injuring another. In the days that followed, the Community Foundation launched the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal at the request of the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership. Launched with a donation of £50,000 from Westmorland and Furness Council, the appeal has since been incredibly well supported by individuals, community fundraising events, community groups, businesses, local charitable trusts and foundations. In partnership with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council, the Foundation awarded a total of £97,500 across two phases to support 83 households and four community groups. Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: A group from the nearby village of Hutton Roof carol sing for charity every year and this Christmas donated the money raised to the appeal. Alison Newton explained: "Because of the disaster in Kirkby Lonsdale, the Hutton Roof residents felt that we wanted and needed to support our local small town because we appreciate what a special place Kirkby is. We were warmly received by all the houses in the village who wanted to support this excellent cause, and who were saddened by this tragic fire." One resident affected by the fire who received a grant from the fund said: "Thank you so much for this, we as a family appreciate it very much and this will help us tremendously, as we get through the next few weeks of the unknown for us.” AMBASSADORS Lord (Melvyn) Bragg of Wigton DL Sir James Cropper, KCVO Mrs Claire Hensman, DL Mr Peter Hensman, OBE DL Lord (Richard) Inglewood DL TRUSTEES Chair: David Beeby DL Vice Chair: Kevin Walsh Honorary Treasurer: Alison Johnston Patrick Boggon Lucy Cavendish Michael Ditchburn (until September 2023) Steve Harnwell Sue Howorth Jim Johnson Tony Keen Glenys Marriott Cllr David Moore (until September 2023) Jim Perks CBE Marcia Reid Fotheringham, JP DL Chris Sanderson, OBE JP DL Alex Scott Georgina Smith Rachael Stephenson Cllr Emma Williamson John Wilson Dr Suzanne Wilson MAIN GRANTS COMMITTEE Chair: Kevin Walsh Vice Chair: Glenys Marriott Patrick Boggon David Edwards Cllr Joseph Ghayouba Jim Johnson Michael Pearson Chris Sanderson OBE JP DL Chris Tomlinson OBE WEST CUMBRIA GRANTS COMMITTEE Chair: Dr Suzanne Wilson Vice Chair: Paul Rowe Richard Atkinson Jenny Brumby Cath Clarke Bridget Johns Cllr Emma Williamson FURNESS GRANTS COMMITTEE Chair: Tony Keen Vice Chair: Lucy Cavendish Julie Barton Margaret Burrow Margaret Coote Barbara Forrester Ali Greenhalgh Annette Hennessy Beth Kirkby Gabriela Lipska Jayne Moorby MBE STAFF Chief Executive: Andy Beeforth OBE Finance Director: Helen Mackman Finance & HR Officer: Lynsey Stokes Finance Administrator: Lauren Postlethwaite Development Manager: Caroline Adams Relationships Officer: Jackie Blacklock Development Assistant: James Bainbridge Director of Programmes & Partnerships: Dr Jenny Benson Head of Grants Practice & Programmes: Annalee Holliday Senior Grants & Programmes Officer Ellen Clements Grants & Programmes Officers: Lisa Blackwell Tracy Cheesbrough Sarah Thompson Programmes Coordinator: Joe Cosby Senior Grants & Programmes Administrator: Kristine McGlothlin Grants & Programmes Administrator: Jeanette Halsey Learning & Insights Officer: Becca Dunlop Communications & Content Lead: Natalie Rutherford The Team You can find our annual accounts for 2023/24 at www.cumbriafoundation.org/accounts/ “It has been a privilege to work with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council to support people affected by the devastating fire. By working together, we have been able to ensure that donated funds have reached those most in need. This swift turnaround would not have been possible without the council officers helping people on the ground in Kirkby Lonsdale to apply, and the support provided by the Community Hub and associated community organisations – a huge thanks to everyone involved.” Front cover: Original artwork created by Chloe Pennington, 16, of Whitehaven, who was supported by the Community Foundation in 2024 through the Positive Enterprise programme. She received funding and business development support for Chloes Chateau, her artwork and giftware company. 25 YEARS OF POWERING STRONGER COMMUNITIES 26 27
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