Two charities in Sunderland are celebrating after each welcoming funding.

The Sunshine Co-operative and The Little Company of Calm have each secured donations of £1,000 via  Community Champions scheme.

Established in 2016, the Sunshine Co-operative empowers people to make healthy food and wellbeing choices through promoting local, sustainably grown food to nourish a sense of community between growers, producers and consumers. The group plan to spend the donation on a new herb garden and relaxation area.  

Operating in local communities across Sunderland for over three years, The Little Company of Calm meanwhile delivers affordable mindfulness activities to help improve mental health and well-being. They intend to use the donation to fund extra meditation classes and workshops.

Claire Wayman, Sunshine Co-operative Project Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted and very grateful to receive this funding.

“It will allow us to kick-start a programme of growing which will help to improve our community's well-being as well as provide access to healthy fresh food in an urban area.” 

Liz McEvoy, Co-Founder & Director at The Little Company of Calm, commented "This donation from Persimmon’s Community Champions Scheme is enabling us to deliver affordable mindfulness sessions on a pay as you feel basis within the local community at Sunderland. Thank you Persimmon."

Local charities, sports clubs and community groups are encouraged to apply to Community Champions scheme which provides £180,000 of funding every quarter. Over the last two years the initiative has donated over £1.35 million to over 1,400 local organisations across the country with winners receiving either £6,000, £5,000 or £1,000.

Ed Alder, Managing Director of Durham added; “It’s great to be able to support two fantastic charities here in Sunderland.

“Our Community Champions scheme aims to provide funding to all those local charities and community groups who otherwise struggle to access finance.

“We’re delighted therefore to be able to contribute in some way to support the ongoing work of these two charities which I’m sure will continue to go from strength to strength.”