A BROMSGROVE and Redditch-based children’s charity has celebrated ten years of supporting young people in the local area.
Oakland Foundation aims to support local children and families living in underprivileged social backgrounds through funding education, health and nutrition, and sport.
Debbie Roberts, Oakland Foundation Donations Coordinator, said: “I genuinely feel very blessed to be supporting the wider development of the Foundation.
“I recall many years ago sitting in partnership meetings discussing child food poverty as though it was just ‘around’.
“Oakland International stood up and said this is not okay, did their research and went ahead and set up the Foundation.”
Since being opened by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, the foundation has grown from a charity supporting its local community and opening the area’s first foodbank to now supporting children across England and Wales.
“Sadly, many charities start up with the best intentions but sadly fail within two years, and here we are ten years hence,” Debbie added.
“I’m honoured to have re-joined the Foundation in their anniversary year.
“With the strength of the Oakland Foundation and the support of Oakland International reaching out into local communities, they are utilising their joint skills to support organisations working with children experiencing disadvantage.”
The charity is now encouraging other businesses that want to engage and support their local communities to get in touch as they have the potential to add value to any individual CSR project.
Dean Attwell , Oakland International Co-Founder and Group CEO, said: “We initially decided to launch our own Foundation following hearing about the level of child poverty in Redditch and Bromsgrove, and we felt we could and should do something about the problem and are delighted to have received the commitment and support from our Trustees to deliver some outstanding change locally.”
