Leicestershire couple's winter fuel payments fund makes its first donation

A fund set up by a couple campaigning for people to give up their winter fuel allowance to help good causes has made its first cash donation.

The 125 Fund was set up by Paul and Sue Newman, of Glenfield, when they decided they did not need their �125 fuel payment at the end of last year.

More than �8,500 has been collected since the scheme was launched in November, and Hinckley youth charity Next Generation is the first organisation to benefit.

The group offers advice to vulnerable young people aged 13 to 25 on issues ranging from education and employment to bullying and self-harm.

It is to receive �1,000 from the 125 Fund.

Next Generation chief officer Shani Smith said the money would be spent on the counselling services, run at the group's base in Hinckley town centre and at William Bradford College, in Earl Shilton.

She said: "This money will enable us to offer 70 to 80 sessions to vulnerable young people, which is vital."

Paul said he and Sue wanted to make the first donation to a youth charity following the increase in student tuition fees and other Government cuts in education.

He said: "We need also to cast a thought to those young people who leave school at the age of 16 to 18 who will not go to university.

"These are the young people who will serve in our shops, build our houses, work in our factories and take our calls in our contact centres.

"They are also the people we will rely upon to start new businesses. They are our future fire and rescue workers, police and ambulance staff.

"They are entering the world of work in a period of considerable economic uncertainty, and that's one of the reasons the 125 fund decided to support Next Generation. This group of young people represent a considerable pool of talent for our communities and economy."

Paul and Sue's 125 Fund has been set up with the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, which distributes the cash to local groups.

For every �125 the charity receives, it will get a Gift Aid donation, bringing the total up to �150. People can specify how they want their donation to be used, either given out straight away or invested in a fund.

If the money is invested, the Government will double it – boosting the cash to �300.

For more information, call 0116 222 2206 or go to:

www.125fund.org.uk

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/11eca4b8/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CSpare0Efuel0Epayments0Elift0Echarity0Carticle0E3130A8670Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

Alex Reid Mark Zuckerberg The US embassy cables Adventure travel Chalkboards Dance music