A local charity in South Shields has received a generous donation of £13,000 from the Asda Foundation, which will help to renovate a local community centre.The Charles Young Centre is a social centre for older people based in South Shields. Formerly a Pentecostal church, the centre opened in 1982 as a centre aimed towards the elderly and handicapped who are picked up daily and provided with a freshly cooked three course meal and early afternoon entertainment.
The application to the Asda Foundation by The Charles Young Centre was supported by store colleagues at the Asda store at Coronation Street in South Shields.
The money donated by the Asda Foundation will go towards the renovation of the community centre, including lowering the ceiling, lighting and decoration.
Gordon Robertshaw, Chairman of The Charles Young Centre said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be receiving this donation from the ASDA Foundation.
“As we cater for a wide range of user groups, it is important that we have a centre that is fit for purpose.
“It’s difficult to put into words just how beneficial it is for the wider benefit of the whole community to work with and be supported by local businesses such as Asda.”
Set up in 1988, the Asda Foundation is a registered charity that aims to have a positive impact on local communities, making independent grants to provide support to a range of local good causes, chosen by Asda’s community life colleagues throughout the UK.
It funds charitable projects and activities what have the ability and potential to achieve change for the better – with the aim of making a significant difference to local communities and the people who live there, both now and in the future.
Julie Ward, Asda Foundation manager, said: “We see the Foundation as one of the many ways to give something back to the communities that support us. That’s why we lend a hand to the wide range of good causes with which our colleagues are involved, sharing their passion and helping to make a difference through a variety of projects across the UK.
“Supporting smaller, local applications such as The Charles Young Centre is really important to us – and we hope it will make a real difference within the local community in South Shields.”
To find out more about the Asda Foundation, or eligibility for submitting a funding application, please contact the Community Life Champion at your local Asda store, or go to: http://charities.asda.com/