The recipients were chosen by a panel of brokers and Aviva staff, with 40 of the broker-nominated local causes and community projects getting between £2,500 and £20,000 in funding. An additional 25 entries will also receive £500 each. Since its inception in 2010, the Aviva Broker Community Fund has given over £1.3 million in grants to more than 320 recipients.
The 2021 entries include community centres, sports clubs, and wellbeing, animal care, community first-aid, and search and rescue projects.
“Brokers are an integral part of their local communities, and their passion for good, local causes has shone through in this year’s award,” said Gareth Hemming, chief distribution officer at Aviva. “It has been inspiring to see so many brokers who share Aviva’s values and want to get involved and support their local communities.”
“Congratulations to all the brokers who took time to enter the Aviva Community Fund,” he continued. “Brokers’ passion for projects that aim to boost the strength of their communities is incredible, and I am delighted that Aviva can provide funding for these incredible local causes.”
Among the winners, Swansea-based Prescott Jones Insurance Solutions helped South Riverside Community Development Centre secure one of the one of the five £20,000 awards.
Paul Gardner, sales and marketing director at Prescott Jones, said he was grateful for the support.
“I know the funds will undoubtedly improve lives,” he said. “It is not too far-fetched to say it will help save lives.”
Stanmore Insurance, meanwhile, obtained funding for two of its chosen causes. The North West-based brokers helped Girls Out Loud’s Stardom Programme – a coaching and mindfulness programme for at-risk girls – secure one of 10 £10,000 awards and allowed Hollins Conservation Group – which aims to improve the Hollins Vale Local Nature Reserve – to get one of the 15 £2,500 grants.
“As a broker, we are thrilled that two projects that the team support were allocated money from the fund,” said Jackie Hyde, managing director at Stanmore Insurance. “The Aviva Community Fund is an amazing initiative and a great way for brokers to extend the support they give and raise the profile of local causes.”
The Create a Dream Foundation, which helps seriously ill children and young people in the Sheffield and South Yorkshire region, was also awarded £5,000 through the help of Doncaster-based Dobson & Hodge.
“The extra funds will help the charity – in what has been a particularly difficult year for fundraising – to continue to provide Dream-like experiences for seriously ill children,” said Ailsa Watson, associate director at Dobson & Hodge.
Hemming admitted that the past 18 months have been a financially challenging time for small charities and local organisations that rely on regular fundraising and community support running.
“This year’s Aviva Broker Community Fund feels all the more important as a vital source of funding for so many great causes,” he said. “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to apply. We have been overwhelmed by brokers’ passion and commitment for their local community groups.”
The complete list of awardees can be viewed at the Aviva Broker Community Fund official website.
