The Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) celebrates reaching its £4m donation milestone, following over 20 years of donations given to local Hampshire causes.
The Foundation was set up in 1995 by the Barker-Mill family, and has donated to a wide range of local organisations and charities over the years to help them progress or complete a range of projects of varying sizes.
Passionate about seeing positive change across the arts and health sectors in particular, the BMF has made considerable contributions to a variety of charities and groups that fall into these categories, making a huge difference to the success of these important services in the region.
One of the beneficiaries which has benefitted from a number of donations is the Southampton Cultural Development Trust (SCDT). The BMF recently made its’ fourth large donation to SCDT, which will aid the trust in what will be an event of global significance, as Southampton prepares to commemorate the 400th anniversary sailing of the Mayflower. Total donations from BMF to the SCDT to date are in excess of £400,000, which have contributed towards running a far-reaching programme of events and activities surrounding the commemoration.
Within the health sector, the BMF donated a generous £20,000 to enable The Murray Parish Trust (MPT) and Breast Cancer Haven run a combined high-profile fundraising event at Winchester Cathedral. The BMF has been a huge supporter of both charity’s efforts, also match-funding an impressive £40,000 to support MPT raise £2million towards building a brand new Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Department at the University Hospital Southampton. It has also provided a number of donations to enable the Breast Cancer Haven to provide ongoing vital support to women through their breast cancer treatment.
As well as the BMF’s contributions to the health and arts, the Foundation is also passionate about supporting local community services, however big or small, helping them make the areas in which they operate in better places to live, work and spend time. The Foundation recently made an impressive donation of £100,000 to The Marchwood Scout & Guide Building Management Committee, to assist in the development of a new building for the use of the general public as well as the Scouts and Guides.
Other recent community donations include a £3,000 donation to Southampton charity Youth Options, to aid them in providing activities to children in and around Millbrook and Redbridge to reduce the risk of anti-social behavior. As well as a £1,000 donation to the New Forest Bike Project, a not-for-profit community and social enterprise in the New Forest, which takes in unwanted bicycles to repair, restore and relocate.
BMF also understands the importance of the charities and groups that support the local wildlife, and has recently supported New Milton Hedgehog Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care, welfare and rehabilitation of hedgehogs in the local area. BMF donated £1,200 to enable the charity to purchase two incubators to provide a safe and warm environment to rear baby hoglets.
Tim Jobling, BMF Trustee, said: “We provide financial support to local organisations and charities of all sizes and we are thrilled to reach our £4m donation milestone. It’s fantastic to know we’ve put a considerable contribution back into the local community, benefitting a variety of different sectors including health, arts, animal safety, community groups and schools. Our donations vary in size in order to meet the needs of the particular project, and it is great to see that we have made a difference in a variety of different ways over the years.
“We are already looking forward to the next milestone and are continuing to support a wide range of charities and organisations in the area as we work together to make communities in and around Hampshire great places to live, work and spend time.”