George’s Fund is opening its second round of grant applications today.   The fund celebrates the short and special life of George Price.  Since its foundation in 2021, the Fund has raised over £163k and provides support to projects aimed at nurturing the wellbeing of primary school age children. George’s Fund is managed by Herefordshire Community Foundation.

The first round of grants awarded £35,319.33  to nine projects across the county, all with a focus on improving young children’s lives through the power of nature.

George’s Mum, Laura Hughes, founder of George’s Fund explained:

“Enjoying the great outdoors has always been really important to us as a family and is one of the ways we remember George. We’ve spent the last 15 months fundraising, including everything from running the Cardiff half-marathon to washing cars!  Thanks to all the support we’ve received from individual donors as well as local companies, we’re ready to award grants of between £2,000 and £5,000 to projects across Herefordshire that can continue to make a real difference to children’s lives.”

Previous beneficiaries who have been using their grants to make a long-term, meaningful impact include:

• Haygrove Community Gardens used their grant to provide holistic classes for children who participated in everything from growing and cooking with their own produce to protecting the environment. They’ve also held wellbeing classes in yoga and meditation.

• St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary used its George’s Fund grant to support children who have experienced trauma, by teaching them emotional regulation strategies, and the chance to feel supported and listened toin nature.

• The Family Place Foundation supported highly vulnerable children and their adoptive, foster or kinship families with their grant. This group is often excluded from community events and school, due to complex emotional and behavioural difficulties, so the Foundation offered a mixture of supported therapeutic activities that would not otherwise be accessible.

The aim of George’s Fund is to give a boost to projects which tap into the power of nature to help make a long-term, meaningful difference to participants who may be facing anything from mental health issues and bereavement through to life limiting illnesses and learning difficulties.

Charities, community groups and local projects, as well as schools and nurseries, are all eligible to apply for funding for projects which make use of the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors for children aged 3 to 11.

This round the focus is on awarding grants to projects that:

• Use the power of nature to help children overcome physical and emotional barriers
• Make a long-term, meaningful difference
• Help children develop skills for life and experience the benefits of nature
• Provide outdoor experiences to those who have difficulty accessing it

Applications can be made via the online application form on the Herefordshire Community Foundation site – Apply for a grant.

Potential applicants are invited to read the guidelines in advance and should there be any questions, contact the Grants Officers at grants@herefordshirecf.org or on 01432 272550. 

For more information please visit the George’s Fund page and our how to apply page.

The closing date for applications is close of play Monday 14^th October.