£5,000 Grant from Ray Wind Fund
Charlotte Straker Project Receives £5,000 Grant from Ray Wind Fund
The Charlotte Straker Project is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant of £5000 from the Ray Wind Fund CIC Community Benefit Fund. The independent Ray Wind Fund CIC is responsible for managing the £250,000 a year Fund (index-linked) set up by European energy company Vattenfall, the operator of the wind farm. The Fund will be in place until at least 2043.
Ray Wind Funds were established to give back to local communities and support initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives. We are incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a beneficiary, and this funding marks a significant contribution to the continued success of our respite service.
This funding will support our free community respite bed, offering short-term support to individuals and families in need. We are proud to regularly welcome people from across West Northumberland, including many from rural communities who might otherwise struggle to access such care. Some of our long-term residents also come from these areas, highlighting the broad and ongoing impact of our work.
The total cost to run this free service exceeds £60,000 annually, and we rely on charitable activities, donations, and grant funding to sustain it. This contribution from Ray Wind Funds will directly help us maintain and grow this essential support for the community.
As part of the funding award, we were delighted to welcome Sarah Crone, Chair of the Ray Wind Fund, and Development Officer Jo Willis, who visited Charlotte Straker House to tour our home and meet some of the team. Their visit offered an opportunity to share first-hand how the respite service operates and to discuss the significant impact this grant will have on individuals and families across the region. We were pleased to show them the difference their support makes and the vital role it plays in helping local people access care close to home.
Berenice Groves, Chair of Trustees at the Charlotte Straker Project, said:
“We are extremely thankful to Ray Wind Funds for recognising the importance of our free community respite service. This generous grant helps us continue offering high-quality care to those who need it most, especially those in rural and isolated parts of our region. It’s a lifeline for many family carers, and this support helps ensure it remains available for all who need it.”
We extend our sincere thanks to Ray Wind Funds for their support and belief in our mission.
Pictured above: Steve Adams (CEO at Charlotte Straker), Berenice Groves (Chair of Trustees), Sarah Crone (Chair at Ray Wind Funds), Jo Willis (Development Officer).
