Posted: Fri 3rd Apr 2020

Anglesey charitable fund opens up £200,000 coronavirus purse

North Wales news and information
This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 3rd, 2020

Hundreds of thousands of pounds are to be released from a £22m charitable fund to help some of Anglesey’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite council meetings being on hold due to social distancing measures, trustees of the former Isle of Anglesey Charitable Trust have agreed to release £200,000 to help groups and organisations during the Covid-19 crisis.

Now known as Y Gymdeithas and earmarked for projects on Anglesey, the fund is worth more than £22m, with trustees responsible for administering the money received from Shell (UK) in 1990 after it ceased operating its oil terminal in Amlwch and associated tank farm at Rhosgoch.

According to Anglesey Council, whose 30 councillors make up the majority of the 32 trustees, it is hoped that the funding will “help alleviate poverty, illness and hardship”, but they will work with local third sector organisations on how best to co-ordinate the funding.

“I am delighted that Y Gymdeithas has taken on that mantle and will continue to support the island, especially now in its hour of need,” said chairman Cllr Trefor Lloyd Hughes.

“I am certain that there will be plenty of applications for this vital funding and look forward to seeing it make a real difference in our communities during these difficult times.”

Vice-chair Richard Owain Jones said the £200,000 was only an “initial contribution” and there may be opportunities to lend further financial support.

“Our discussions about providing support during the coronavirus outbreak began a number of weeks ago, but we also had to ensure that the proper procedures were in place to allow Y Gymdeithas, as a charitable association, to release this important funding,” he said.

“I’d like to thank my fellow trustees for their patience and support shown on behalf of the people of Anglesey.”

The move to open up the £200,000 was made by trustees despite suggestions from others that as much as £1m should be spent during the crisis.

Cllr Aled Morris Jones told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that a suggestion had been made that a seven-figure sum should be opened up for such a purpose.

“I do appreciate a million pounds is a lot of money, but the need is also great,” he said, suggesting that the funding could include matching an earlier £30,000 council donation to the island’s food banks and the purchase of ventilators for Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Former county councillor Jeff Evans had earlier suggested that such a sum be made available and welcomed the announcment.

“I’d like to thank the trustees and officers of Y Gymdeithas for their consideration and setting aside this sum of monies that will go some way to assist the community across Ynys Mon,” he said.

“The trust thereafter, may be considering further support as the coronavirus increases its deadly grip on the community.”

Applications can be made to Y Gymdeithas by visiting this link.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter



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