Seven local charities have received awards totalling £2,300 to support their work, after the latest round of donations from Foster’s Fund, a scheme set up by Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster.
Foster’s Fund is based on a pledge made by Torbay’s MP when he was first elected to parliament in 2015. He pledged to not only oppose the 10% pay rise proposed for MPs at the time, but to reject it via donations to local charities if IPSA implemented it despite his objections. Kevin renewed this pledge at the last General Election in December 2019 and has promised to continue Foster’s Fund until at least May 2024. Since 2009 MPs have not voted on their own pay, with IPSA abandoning a plan to increase MPs pay by 4.1% earlier this year following opposition from Kevin and many other MPs to it.
The latest round of awards saw: Torbay Street Pastors (£750), Taleblazers (£200), Torbay Bravo (£300), Torbay Greenspace Forum (£200), Turning Heads (£300), Torbay Ladies Lounge (£300) and Unleashed Theatre Company (£250) receive funding for a range of projects including providing support to vulnerable women in our community to vital new equipment for Torbay’s Street Pastors.
Kevin is also urging local groups to get in touch and apply for a grant from the fund. To be eligible for Foster’s Fund the organisation (or project being funded) must be based, or aiming to do most of their work, in Kevin’s Constituency.
Kevin said: “These 7 organisations are great examples of the community spirit across our bay which has been vital over the last 18 months as we tackled the pandemic. I am pleased to continue honouring the pledge I first made back in 2015 and to be able to support these groups in delivering projects which will be of real benefit to our bay.”
He added:
“If you are part of a local charity or good cause who might benefit from a grant of up to £1,000 for a project then do get in touch about applying for funding.”
Details about Foster’s Fund, along with details of how to apply, can be found by visiting www.kevinjfoster.com/fosters-fund or by telephoning 01803 214 989. By law any award from Foster’s fund must be paid into the bank account of a registered charity.
