Funding Support Archives

2014 was another year which gave the Freemen of Durham an opportunity to offer financial support to local causes. In the context of our aim to have substance, relevance and purpose this is a key area for the Freemen and one to which a lot of thought is given as evidenced by the plan to […]

There has been a link between the Freemen and the Durham Mayoral Bodyguard for a number of centuries. As long ago as the 13th Century the Bodyguard gave protection to Wardens as they collected taxes and tithes around the City.

We provided funding to support the erection of a monument in tribute to the soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry which has been installed directly outside of the Guild Hall in the Market Place

Our support for Peter Bennett’s joinery apprenticeship at the Dean and Chapter is now entering its final year.

Each year we make a contribution to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal. A cheque was presented to the Mayor at the Annual Dinner. The beneficiary of this year’s Appeal is Finchale Training College which is increasingly involved in the vocational rehabilitation of former service personnel. The Mayor was especially appreciative of our donation and invited us to […]

Last year through the good offices of Eric Bulmer (Warden of the Plumbers’ Company) we helped to fund a Community Banner for West Rainton, a project that was led by Alison McDonough, Headteacher of the local primary school and a member of the Plumbers’ Company. The school was the centre of the project which had […]

Support for the apprentice joiner at the Cathedral continues and Gaye Kirby, Head of Development at the Cathedral, reports that Peter is gaining valuable experience and is having the opportunity to work on the major Open treasure development project.

By The Northern Echo The City of Durham Freemen donate £7,000 to Durham mental Health Centre Read the full article at the Northern Echo on http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10648589.Mental_health_centre_bosses_overjoyed_at_public_support/

The Freemen had the pleasure of cooperating with Artichoke of London in providing the westernmost square of The Sands as a site for Fete an illuminated installation forming part of the third Lumiere Festival held in the City in November 2013.

West Rainton has a rich mining heritage with Adventure Colliery and Cocken Drift Mine being located nearby. Unfortunately the village’s original banner was lost in the 1970s and as a result they have been unrepresented at the Durham Miners gala since. The West Rainton Primary School led by Head Teacher Alison McDonough who is a […]

We were again able to support the charity appeal chosen by the Mayor of the City.

In March the 5th Durham Scout Group was left stranded when their minibus was destroyed after a caravan parked nearby was deliberately set alight. On hearing of the crisis the freemen agreed to make a donation of £2000. A new vehicle has now been secured and the scouts look forward to getting their activities back […]

After months of negotiation we were particularly pleased to sponsor an apprentice joiner employed by the Dean and Chapter at the Cathedral.

We were attracted by an appeal by St Margaret’s Centre for funding to continue structural improvements to the old school building in which it is based and where a lot of work has gone towards making the building better suited to its range of activities. The centre houses an ecumenical project supporting people with mental […]

In 2012 St Giles Church, a Grade 1 listed building, celebrated the 900th anniversary of its consecration in June, 1112. As part of the celebrations, an appeal was launched to refurbish and restore the stature of St Giles above the entrance to the church, which was erected in 1876, and the coats of arms alongside […]

As at previous annual dinners we were able to present a cheque to the Mayor of the City in support of the Mayor’s Charity Appeal which was for Heel and Toe.

As there is a tradition in the City and surrounding communities of the colliery brass band we were pleased to contribute £1000 to help with the band’s running cost.

Former Council Solicitor Richard Langdon was appealing for support for his fund raising attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of St Cuthbert’s Hospice. The Freemen were happy to donate £5000 to the challenge. The 45 mile hike through rainforest and desert to the mountain’s 19,000 foot summit was completed in October 2013.

County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially SitedThe Society does tremendous work despite having no formal sources of funding. We were, therefore, pleased to donate £1000 towards the production of the Society’s Talking Newspapers.

We were happy to present the Durham Branch of St John Ambulance with £1000. They are known throughout the country for their voluntary work providing first aid cover for all kinds of public events.

Sadly strokes are an increasing problem for individuals and families in the modern world. The County Durham Stroke Club was established and meets in at Bede Lodge Social Club in Framwellgate Moor. The Freemen donated £1000 to the Club and wish the organisers and their members.

The Heart of Durham Appeal organised by the British Heart foundation to provide a 2D echocardiogram for the University Hospital of North Durham.

he Friends of Durham Cathedral were seeking funding for a sound system to be installed in the Chapter House of the Cathedral. The Chapter House plays an important part in the daily worship of the Cathedral as a vestry for services and as a place for worship during key moments in the Christian calendar.

Mayor’s Charity AppealAs in past years we supported the Mayor’s Appeal for her chosen charities which this year were Diabetes UK and St Cuthbert’s Hospice. A cheque for £800 was presented to the Mayor at our Annual Dinner.

The Freemen were involved in the restoration and rededication of a memorial to past students of Durham Johnston School who died in the service of their country by donating £2000. The memorial was originally in the South Street premises of the school and was relocated to the Crossgate Moor site when the school moved there […]