A DARTMOUTH charity is to receive $10,000 from the foundation set up by the late Hollywood star Paul Newman.
Newman’s Own Foundation, the organisation started by the late actor and philanthropist, announced last week it will donate US$10,000 to Dartmouth Caring which works to empower children.
Dartmouth Caring’s manager Nick Hindmarsh said: ‘We bid to the Newman’s Own Foundation about two months ago to support the funding of the Young Dartmouth programme we run at the academy every Monday lunchtime, with students from the secondary phase.
‘We have been allocated $10,000 over two years to pay towards staff costs, visits and transport for the young people involved and to buy resources for the activities they do. The programme, now in its sixth year, helps to support key students, identified by the academy, and to ensure they get the chances many of us take for granted. All the work my colleagues do with this group is aimed at developing their self-confidence, aspiration and self esteem.
‘This grant will be a crucial step to ensure the continuity of this project, which was never intended as a short term intervention.
‘Many of the students stay in the programme throughout their secondary school career and gain a great deal from the experience.
‘Soon after Christmas we have planned two visits with the group, the first is the annual visit to the pantomime in Plymouth and the other is for the older students to the Horizon Centre at Torbay Hospital to visit the simulation centre. There they will be able to “operate” on life like animated models, attached to all the life monitoring systems and practice their suturing skills.’
The foundation continues Paul Newman’s commitment to give net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman’s Own food and beverage products to charity. It has pledged US$218,000 [about £175,000] in total to 19 charities up and down the country.
Charities were chosen following a nationwide application process and were selected to mark their work and dedication to children in the UK. Other charities which received grants in 2016 include Manchester Young Lives, Amaze of Brighton and Sheffield Mencap.
Comedian Harry Hill has worked with Newman’s Own Foundation since 2014 and continues to be inspired by its work to support charities that develop the empowerment of children, both in the UK and worldwide. This year he visited Hackney Village, a past grant recipient based in London, to see how it has made a difference to the young people attending the group.
Harry said: ‘I am thrilled to be involved with Newman’s Own Foundation again, Paul Newman has always been a huge inspiration to me personally. Over the past few years I’ve had the chance to meet many recipients of grants and witness the incredible impact the fund makes to children living in the UK. This year 19 charities will now receive funding and I look forward to seeing their great work supporting young people continue in 2017.’
Robert Forrester, president and chief executive of Newman’s Own Foundation, said: ‘Paul Newman was dedicated to helping organisations that empower people to overcome extraordinary adverse circumstances and contribute to the development of a civil society. We feel privileged to be able to continue Paul’s legacy by providing grants to charities throughout the UK which are making such a huge difference for children.’