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About The Hornby Foundation

Giving something back to the communities we serve has always been central to our ethos – they are, after all, central to the success of the business through their tremendous support in using our services and recommending us to others.

To ensure ongoing and tangible benefits for those who are most in need, the Hornby Foundation was launched in 2015 with the aim of making a real difference.

Within five years, upwards of £100,000 had been donated to charities and good causes and community groups – and that work continues today.

The Hornby Foundation welcomes all applications from eligible organisations, however preference will be given to organisations in the Furness and South Lakes area.

The Foundation does not provide ongoing support and is more likely to offer one-off awards of up to £10,000 in value.

parkrun

Leading accountancy firm donates defibrillator to Parkrun

A LOCAL park run has been equipped with a dedicated defibrillator thanks to a donation from a charitable foundation.

The life saving machine will be on hand for organisers and volunteers at the Ford parkrun in Ulverston – which provides a free, 5km run every Saturday morning at 9am.

The purchase of the device was made by the JF Hornby Foundation which supports a range of local charities and community groups every year.

Paul Hornby is the managing director of leading North West accountancy firm JF Hornby & Co. which is also based in the town.

He said: “Ford parkrun is a popular event attended by people of all ages and levels of fitness every week.

“It offers everyone the chance to enjoy the experience of regular exercise, making a positive impact throughout the community.

“Having a defibrillator on hand in the event of an emergency situation could be the difference between life and death for someone so we wanted to ensure the group has this vital equipment should it ever be needed.”

The JF Hornby Foundation was established in 2015 as a way for the firm to give something back to the community.

So far it has distributed more than £100,000 to charities, causes and groups across the area.

Someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest requires immediate help to maximise their chances of survival.

An Automated External Defibrillator provides a jolt of energy to the heart which can restore its rhythm and get it beating normally again.

If a defibrillator is used in the first three to five minutes of someone having a cardiac arrest their chances of survival increase from six to 74 per cent.

Paul added: “The JF Hornby Foundation was set up to help groups just like parkrun – where a boost like this can make a big difference.

“I hope the organisers and volunteers never have cause to use the defibrillator but that having instant access to it provides them with reassurance that they can give emergency help should an incident unfold.”

100k

Charitable foundation hits £100k landmark after helping more than 50 local causes

A CHARITABLE foundation set up just three years ago has reached a major milestone.

The JF Hornby Foundation, which was established in 2015, has surpassed the £100,000 giving mark.

Scores of charities and community groups have benefited from the organisation – which was set up ‘to give something back.’

Paul Hornby is the managing director of JF Hornby and Co. He said: “As a family business working in an area where community is everything, we have enjoyed huge support from local businesses and individuals over the years.

“We decided three years ago that it was time to give something back. There are so many fantastic community groups, individuals and voluntary organisations out there and quite often, they need help and support to continue their excellent work.

“Our directors are passionate believers in social responsibility and want to try and help these causes to continue their great work.

“We are a business – but we are not just about the bottom line, and it has been a real joy to help so many different causes over the last few years.”

Trustees of the foundation meet every quarter to discuss grant applications. While requests are welcome from the wider county, those from the Furness and South Lakes area are given a higher priority.

Since the foundation was launched, more than 50 different charities, groups and organisations have been awarded grants.

Chairman of JF Hornby and Co, John Hornby, established the business 24 years ago. He said: “We were embraced by the community from the day we opened and it has been very humbling to enjoy that continued support over many years.

“I take great personal pleasure from helping causes which need a little boost. As a local business it’s the least we can do and I look forward to the JF Hornby Foundation continuing to offer a helping hand for many years to come.”

close-knit team

Close-knit team at leading accountants inspire donation of £15,000 to mental health charities

A LEADING North West accountancy firm has donated thousands of pounds in support of mental health charities and initiatives following the coronavirus pandemic.

JF Hornby Ltd, based in Ulverston, has confirmed it will donate £15,000 – £1,000 for every week its offices remained closed during lockdown – to the Hornby Foundation.

The money will be ring fenced for charities or organisations that provide help for mental health and wellbeing with applications invited immediately.

Paul Hornby, managing director of the firm, announced the move after seeing his own close-knit team rallying to support clients through the Covid-19 crisis.

“Our teams worked from home during lockdown, using platforms like Zoom and Whatsapp as well as calls and texts to stay in touch.

“What became really clear is that this actually brought everyone closer together as well as closer to our clients.

“We knew businesses were under mounting and unprecedented pressure and we wanted to help in any way we could. The standard accounting day of 9-5 went out of the window as we offered bespoke support to our clients as and when they needed it.

“Normal working practices were no longer the best fit. Instead, the team had many conversations with clients over Zoom, getting to know them and understanding their businesses better than ever before.

“Clients have been able to text whenever they have needed help or advice – with the team working through the evenings to process hundreds of furlough claims, loan applications, accounts for loans and grant claims among other things.”

Paul added: “We’re all too aware that lots of people are under considerable pressure on both a business and personal front at the moment.

“We want to make sure we’re contributing to the support available and the Hornby Foundation is an excellent way for us to do that.”

The Hornby Foundation was set up in 2015.

So far, it has distributed in excess of £100,000 to more than 50 local charities, good causes and community groups.

While applications for grants are usually invited on a quarterly basis, charities can now apply immediately for funding.

The donation of £15,000 will be ring fenced for those providing support for mental health and wellbeing.

Paul explained the health and wellbeing of his own team had been at the forefront of his mind throughout the lockdown period.

In order to protect staff, every team member received regular calls to check they had enough support while working at home as well as the option of flexible hours to suit individual needs.

“We had our own team members working from home while trying to balance things like childcare and homeschooling so we know how difficult things have been for our clients,” Paul said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of everything the team has done at JF Hornby throughout the crisis. They’ve shown true dedication to our clients, working hundreds of extra hours to help them during a difficult time.

“As always, we look for ways to give something back. I hope this funding will help boost the help and support out there for anyone who needs it.”

To access an application form for the Hornby Foundation, please visit: http://www.thehornbyfoundation.org.uk/applications/

leven-valley

Race aces on cloud nine after grant for events tent

ONE of Cumbria’s fastest growing running clubs has bid farewell to soggy cross county meetings – after securing funding for a special events tent.

Members of Leven Valley AC had until recently been forced to face the elements before and after races every time they competed.

But now they have a warm and dry base in which to get changed and wait for their race, after local charitable trust, the Hornby Foundation, stepped in.

Kim Everett is the club’s safeguarding and welfare officer. She said: “This has made such a difference when we are competing. At this time of year, the weather can be pretty atrocious, so the tent has been very welcome. Other clubs have been saying how amazing it looks.

“The support of local businesses is so important to us. It allows us to keep the club as accessible as possible to young people and their families who want to get off the sofa and involved in an activity which gets them fit.”

Leven Valley AC trains three times a week; once in Barrow and twice in Ulverston. The club was established in late 2015 and now has more than 100 members.

John Hornby is the chairman of the Hornby Foundation. He said: “This is exactly the type of organisation which we love to help. The volunteers who run it have done a fantastic job of building membership numbers and the club has some amazing, talented runners.

“They make every effort to raise money themselves to keep costs down for their members, so it was our pleasure to be able to help by providing the grant for this tent.

“It keeps them warm, gives them a place to change and can be put up in a matter of minutes.”

Leven Valley AC to open to runners of all abilities.

children at Croftlands Infants and Junior Schools

For children at Croftlands Infants and Junior Schools in Ulverston, time in the classroom and library is a lot more exciting

Thanks to a grant from the JF Hornby Foundation, a selection of new books and a consignment of iPads are destined for the school.

The iPads will be used at the junior school – which this month has moved into its new premises – while the books will be used at the infant school.

Jo Procter is the headteacher. She said: “We raised £1,000 through fundraising and the JF Hornby Foundation kindly matched that.

“We will use the money for home to school reading books and 47 of our reception children will benefit from.

“Reading is so important for developing communication skills and a lifelong love of books, so we are very excited about the new books”