Local entrepreneur and ‘Secret Millionaire’ John Elliott MBE, is inviting groups from South West Durham that aim to help people fulfill their potential, to apply to the EBAC Fund, managed by County Durham Community Foundation.
John, who became one of Channel 4’s ‘Secret Millionaires’ in the first series, is a well-respected businessman who is committed to South West Durham where he established EBAC in 1974. John believes that Ebac is part of the local community and has helped a range of local groups over many years. The company has held a charitable fund with County Durham Community Foundation since 1996 and John is one of the Community Foundation’s Vice Presidents.
So far, the EBAC Fund has given out almost £20,000 in grants, particularly supporting tuition fees and other expenses to develop talent and skills from the County Durham area. The Fund is now in a position to broaden its support and is looking for voluntary groups in South West Durham. Successful groups need to demonstrate that they add to the community by allowing individuals to fulfill their potential. It is expected that grants will be up to £1,000. Applicants should send brief details of their functions plus details of annual expenditure and income.
Listen to John Elliott and Christina Rackley talk about the fund
[audio:http://downloads.bishopfm.com/bishopfm-20100916-cdf.mp3|titles=John Elliott and Christina Rackley talk about the Ebac fund]The deadline for applications is 15th October, with a decision being made by end November – a nice Christmas present for projects who are successful. Following final decisions, the awards will be made at a presentation event at EBAC on Aycliffe Business Park shortly afterwards.
John said of the Ebac Fund:
”We are hoping that through these grants, we can help locally-based volunteer groups that do sterling work year after year. We all know of community unsung heroes that give up their time for others and hope a grant will help in a small way.”
Interested projects should contact County Durham Community Foundation on: 0191 378 6359, email: info@cdcf.org.uk or download an Expression of Interest form from the website: www.cdcf.org.uk.