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Community is the priority ; Social Responsibility Award [Herald, The (Plymouth, England)](Herald, The (Plymouth, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sponsor: PLYMOUTH DRAKE FOUNDATION THE organisation sponsoring the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at this year's Herald Business Awards is doing so to recognise the impact companies can have on the community. The Plymouth Drake Foundation(PDF) is Plymouth's community charity and chief executive Craig McWhinnie said: "As massive supporters of Plymouth's communities we are proud to be supporting the award for corporate social responsibility. "It is an award which will go to the business that has made a significant contribution to Plymouth's communities during the past year. "We recognise the huge difference CSR donations can have in the community, whether that be through volunteering, 'in kind' services or a cash donation. The Plymouth Drake Foundation's work is primarily about the creation, development and management of a Community Endowment Fund, the income from which will be used to support the development of Plymouth communities. It is distinct from other not-for-profit and voluntary organisations in Plymouth in its objectives of raising funds from corporate and private donors and distributing them solely for the purposes of developing wealthy, healthy and lively Plymouth communities, now and forever. During the past five years Plymouth Drake Foundation has provided Pounds 520,000 of grants to more than 250 community and voluntary organisations in Plymouth. The Foundation is being reconstructed as a community-owned financial institution to promote local philanthropy. Donors can be assured that the distribution of this fund will be guided by a communities committee within the Foundation. This is made up of an array of organisations and individuals who are able to provide a deep understanding of community needs in Plymouth and thus achieve the maximum benefit both for the donor and the community. The Corporate Social Responsibility award will go to the business which has made a significant contribution to the community, which may be reflected in facilities it provides, the number of people it has helped, or the scope of its interest or the extent of its expansion. Last year, the winner was Wolferstans Solicitors, which in 2012 celebrated 200 years providing legal services for Plymouth people, businesses, public-sector bodies and voluntary organisations. To mark the double century the firm, based in North Hill with a branch in Plymstock, decided to give something to the community. Its target was to raise Pounds 2,012 every month for a charity based in Plymouth, or helping city folk. Six were chosen: Children's Happy Hospital Fund, Headway Plymouth, Jeremiah's Journey, St Luke's Hospice, Age UK Plymouth and Shekinah Mission With 94 of the firm's 135 staff and partners taking part, the target was beaten and the total raised was Pounds 36,859. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |