A CHARITY in Berkshire is among the recipients of more than £1 million as part of the Movement for Good Awards.
Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue is one of many charities set to receive £1,000 in support from a group of donations totalling more than £1 million.
It follows the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards, which sees members of the public vote for causes to receive support.
In total, 100 awards of £1,000 are given to charities around the UK in rounds of draws, and ten special awards of £5,000 are also donated to animal charities selected by participants.
Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue provides support for other emergency services during searches for high-risk and vulnerable missing people.
Completely staffed by volunteers, the service works closely with Thames Valley Police and Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as other organisations, and is also entirely self-funded.
The money will go towards providing team members with protective equipment, including helmets and the characteristic red anoraks worn by BLSAR volunteers.
Andrew Viney, deputy chair, fundraising lead, and operational team leader at Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, said: “We are enormously grateful to the Benefact Group and the Movement for Good Awards for this amazing donation.
“As a volunteer charity that receives no central funding, we are reliant on the generosity of our supporters and such donations.
“We ask a lot of our volunteers to respond to calls to search for high-risk vulnerable missing persons at all times of the day and night in all weathers, this donation is vital in keeping the team operational and able to respond 24/7, 365 days of the year.”
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, said: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards.
“Benefact Group is a family of award- winning specialist financial services companies and the third largest corporate donor to charity in the UK.”
He explained: “Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do–all of our available profits go to good causes and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give.”
“We are delighted to be able to donate over £1million to good causes each year through our Movement for Good Awards and are grateful to all our supporters, including the customers of the trusted insurer, Ecclesiastical, and the responsible and sustainable asset manager, EdenTree.
“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”
More information about the Benefact Group is available via: benefactgroup.com
Details about how to nominate in the Movement for Good Awards are available via: movementforgood.com