Swindon-based animal charity celebrates share of £1m fund

A charity is celebrating after receiving a donation of £1000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

For the fifth year running, financial specialist Benefact Group is giving away over £1m to charities through its Movement for Good Awards. 

Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 150 awards of £1,000 announced today. 

Swindon-based RSPCA North Wiltshire and Newbury District Branch, which specialises in animal rescue and furthering the welfare of all animals, is the local charity set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county. 

Wiltshire residents submitted more than 3,300 nominations for charities close to their hearts, with over 150 local causes receiving votes.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards. 

"Benefact Group is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give. 

"We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

More than 15,000 charitable causes in the UK and Ireland received votes, thanks to over 250,000 nominations from supporters. The 150 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated, following 150 previous winners selected in June. Further funds will be awarded throughout the year.

Since the awards began, nearly 2m people have nominated and made a difference to communities across the UK and Ireland, with more than £5m given to over 2,500 charities. 

This year, 420 charities will be awarded £1000 donations, while 40 good causes will be awarded £5,000 via special grants throughout the year, aimed at helping charities in specific sectors. 

Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. Further donations totalling £500,000 will also be given in larger amounts later this year.

Further information can be found at www.movementforgood.com.