Baby Memorial - St Cuthbert's Churchyard (£1000)
Go The Distance (GTD) (£1000)
Downs Syndrome North East. (£800)
29/03/24
Helping Performing Arts Festival To Grow Will Be “Just The Ticket”
A £500 gift from the city’s freemen will in particular help the Durham Fringe Festival reach a wider audience for this year’s five-day event by targeting specific wards within the city facing socio-economic challenges - including limited home internet access - with additional printed promotional material.
Festival director, Stephen Cronin, said: “Statistically the north east has the smallest arts and culture sector in Britain and the festival seeks to provide a platform for artists, performers and creatives to develop and test work, supporting career progression.
“Over the past three years we have seen an appetite and demand from audiences for a fringe festival in Durham City. It is proving to be a powerful tool in bringing people into the city at a time when it needs a boost the most – when the students go home for the summer. We’re really grateful to the freemen’s charitable trust for supporting us to further grow and diversify our audience at this stage of the festival’s development.”
The event, which features shows from genres across the performing arts, including dance, music, theatre, magic, stand-up, cabaret and children’s shows, was launched in 2021 by local residents, intent on helping recovery from the economic and social effects of the pandemic. This year the team is encouraging more submissions of dance and movement-based performances.
The festival has been supported by a team of over 80 volunteers, whose ages range from 11 to over 80. The call for volunteers for this year’s festival will be launched shortly and organisers invite people wanting to join and help to check their web site for details.
This year’s shows will be presented over eight performance spaces across seven venues. New venues include Durham |Distillery and Dunelm House, adding to the core cohort of the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms, Cafedral, Durham City Theatre and Fabios. Audiences can also enjoy performances with the iconic backdrop of Durham Cathedral, in the festival marquee on Palace Green.
Tickets will go on sale in early May.
Eric Bulmer, chairman of the freemen’s charitable trustees said: “We are delighted to support the Durham Fringe Festival, particularly in widening its reach to target those in our community who face challenges during these difficult economic and social times. We wish them every success with their event in July.”
12/02/24
Solan, Connor, Fawcett Cancer Trust
The freemen’s £2,000 gift will be used to streamline bespoke services delivered to hundreds of patients and bereaved families from the Spennymoor headquarters of the Solan, Connor, Fawcett Cancer Trust, established over eight years ago.
Founder, Mark Solan, who launched the venture after the cancer claimed the lives of both his mother and grandmother said the organization was having to re-think its approach.
“Advances in treatment means terminally ill patients are surviving longer – sometimes for up to ten years. It’s great news but it means more people need our help and support for much longer. Alongside the cost of living crisis, our own costs are rising and with the NHS on its knees, we are having to rethink what we do and how we do it – as any other business would,” said Mark.
“But we could not do what we do without the incredible generosity of people like the freemen,” he added.
In 2017, the year the fledgling service gained charitable status, Mark received a regional prize in the Pride of Britain Awards, followed two years later by recognition from the then Prime Minister Theresa May who marked his community work with a “Point of Light Certificate.”
In addition to responding to calls for help from cancer patients and their families, the charity – supported by a 36-strong team of volunteers – also responds to referrals from Macmillan Cancer Support, St Cuthbert’s Hospice and the NHS.
One of the changes planned at the substantial headquarters is the switch of the wellness centre to an unused former ground floor shop to provide more services – which include counselling, complimentary therapy, hair and beauty and a wig bank – giving easier access for a growing number of patients with mobility issues.
The ages of those receiving support range from just a few months to pensioners in their 90s.
At the end of January the charity was supporting 253 adults and children with an active cancer diagnosis; 100 adults and children in remission but still needing practical and emotional help; 63 people who had lost loved ones; and 113 who had been discharged and in remission. During the same period a total of 147 people who had received help were reported to have died.
The charity offers help with fuel costs, groceries and transport to hospital appointments, while tradesmen, cleaners and gardeners are on hand to offer household services. Those with mobility problems have access to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and chairlifts. Donations are vital and extra funds are raised through coffee mornings and social events
“It is a privilege to support Mark and his dedicated and caring team who provide an invaluable service to the local and wider community of Durham, especially when the major support services are under so much pressure,” said Eric Bulmer, chairman of the freemen’s charitable trust.
