Mayor's charity fund set hit festive high

2:43pm Friday 14th December 2001

MAYOR John Peters' Fund for the Future, launched in July to provide a long-term endowment for local charities, is set to top £20,000 for Christmas.

Helped by some substantial donations from individuals, and companies such as Laing Homes and Fairclough Homes, more than £18,000 has been raised so far, with more set to flow in over the next few weeks.

"I am hoping it will build up," said Councillor Peters. "We need £100,000 minimum."

His aim is that after three years the fund will be big enough to be able to pledge regular cash for local organisations such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau, the Council for Voluntary Services, Relate and Drug Care.

He said: "We plan to give people small grants for longer periods.

"Say £1,000 a year for ten years is worth more than £10,000 in one year, because it enables charities to get matched funding."

Many sources of charitable funds such as the National Lottery will hand over cash provided the recipient body can match the sum through its own fundraising.

The fund is administered by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, and Councillor Peters and the two previous mayors, representing all three major political parties, will sit on an advisory panel for the fund.

To help the fund along, teddy bears dressed in the city's colours by local firm Outfits for Outlaws are on sale for £6 from the council offices reception in the civic centre.