Ferryhill Town Council presents Cheque to Ferryhill Foodbank
Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that the latest group to receive funding through its Members Initiative Fund (MIF) is the Ferryhill Foodbank. Distribution Manager for County Durham Foodbanks, Stephanie Monahan, recently attended a presentation at Ferryhill Town Hall, where Councillors Stephen Bowron and Christine Woods presented her with a cheque for £200 from their MIF Allocations. Funding will be used to contribute to supplies for the Ferryhill Foodbank, for the benefit of the local community.
The idea of contributing funds to the foodbank came about through a project idea devised by Royal British Legion Member, Andy Denholm and Councillor Stephen Bowron. The project will see 70+ commemorative ‘Tommys’ being placed on family and Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) headstones including unmarked graves at Duncombe Cemetery, as a mark of respect for the great sacrifice and/or service these heroes made for their Country. When Nigel Freeman, Director of Operations at BTS Fabrications, the Company commissioned to manufacture the ‘Tommys’ learnt of the project, he offered to provide the ‘Tommys’ free of charge, and instead of receiving payment for the work, suggested that a donation be made to the Town’s Foodbank. Accordingly, Councillor Bowron was more than happy to offer a £100 donation to Ferryhill Foodbank from his MIF allocation, with Councillor Christine Woods, who is a member of the Royal British Legion, also offering to donate £100 from her Members Initiative Fund.
Councillor Bowron said ‘I am delighted that months of hard work has paid off and that commemorative ‘Tommys’ will now be placed on the Town’s war graves as a mark of respect for the sacrifice and service given by so many. A huge thank you to BTS for offering to manufacture the ‘Tommys’ free of charge. In accordance with the Company’s’ wishes I was extremely happy to support Ferryhill Foodbank with a donation from my Members Initiative Fund.’
Councillor Woods said ‘When I heard about this project I really wanted to contribute. Placing ‘Tommys’ on military graves will provide a poignant reminder of the service and sacrifice given by these war heroes, while donating funds to the Foodbank will support those most in need in our community.’
For more information on the Town Council’s Members Initiative Fund please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk
