Cobtree awards boost charities


THREE prominent local chari- ties have received a welcome cash windfall from the Cobtree Charity Trust. Kent Scouts, Voluntary Ac-


tion Maidstone and Cross Roads Care, were all selected by the trustees for a share of a special £25,000 Jubilee Prize. Representatives of the chari-


ties were presented with their cheques by the Mayor of Maid- stone Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie, who congratulated all three on their sterling work, and offered his thanks to the trust. The charity distributes around £150,000 each year, sup- porting more than 60 local or- ganisations with their running costs. Kent Scouts received the


lion’s share, with £17,000 to help improve facilities at their new county headquarters, Lower Grange Farm, Sandling, purchased in 2009. Liz Simmons, county chair-


man, said: “We have come a long way in three years and this will help us further improve the facilities for the young people of Kent – and especially Maid- stone.”


Charlotte Osborne-Ford, chief executive of Voluntary Action Maidstone, which received £5,000, explained how the money would help fund a new


Mayor Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie with Cobtree Charity trustees and award recipients


software system to make man- agement of their voluntary transport service more efficient. VAMoperates a number of proj- ects for vulnerable and socially isolated people and the volun- tary transport scheme provides some 10,000 trips per year to hospital and doctor’s appoint- ments and other urgentmatters. The prize will go towards a


much needed software system. Irene Jeffrey, from Cross Roads Care, based at Watering- bury, which received £3,000, said themoney would help pro-


vide counselling and much- needed emotional support for the charity’s 150 young carers, aged from five to 18, many of whom were offering end-of-life care for ailing parents. Cobtree Trust chairman Richard Corben said: “The an- nual Cobtree prize is aimed at those organisations which have a charitable purpose, help the community or have urgent re- pair work to the historic build- ings within their care. “The selection of the winners was very hard for the trustees, as


so many organisations are doing such fantastic work in the area.” The Cobtree Trust funds come


from a trust set up in 1951 by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, 12 times Mayor ofMaidstone, who lived at Cobtree Manor. Mr Corben said: “It is the


third year that the trust has made the special annual award, all of which has been made pos- sible by this ‘very handsome’ gift from Sir Garrard, which has been managed by some very able trustees through the ages right up until today.”


Christmas Fair


The Friars, Aylesford Priory 24 & 25 November 2012 10am - 4pm


Family fun, unique Christmas presents and Father Christmas will be stopping by!


Christmas Lunches 3rd - 21st December only £23.50pp. To book call 01622 717272


Pilgrims Hall, fine dining restaurant Christmas Menu from £29.50pp Book early to avoid disappointment. Call 01622 714110


The Friars, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BX Tel 01622 717272 Email: enquiry@thefriars.org.uk Limited by Guarantee Company No 3487590 Charity No 1068518


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Malling 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40