Aico become an investor in the High Sheriffs Fund to propel the Shropshire Community Foundation’s community support
The High Sheriffs Fund was created to support community groups and charities within the county. The fund managed by the Shropshire Community Foundation was an initiative launched between the Foundation and the previous High Sheriff of Shropshire, Selina Graham.
Aico as an investor, has donated over £30,000 to the fund which will provide small grants to support projects working to engage with young people and especially to reduce the attractiveness of crime.
A small part of this donation is also being used to help fund a celebration event for the vibrant voluntary and community sector across Shropshire being held at the RAF Museum in Cosford where hundreds of local volunteers, invited by the High Sheriff, will gather to celebrate Shropshire’s Community Heroes.
Mandy Thorn, High Sheriff of Shropshire said “The incredible generosity of Aico in donating such a significant sum to the High Sheriff’s Fund hosted by the Shropshire Community Foundation has enabled us to bring forward our aspiration to launch a small grant scheme for youth-led community groups from across our County. We are hoping to build the High Sheriff’s Fund over the next few years so that we can offer some financial support to community-led initiatives. More information on how to apply will be released in late autumn”.
Aico have also become ‘Investors in the Community’, an exciting initiative launched by The Shropshire Community Foundation enabling businesses to make an impactful, sustainable, and positive difference to those most in need across the country.
Neal Hooper, Managing Director of Aico commented “We are proud to support the High Sheriffs Fund and the Shropshire Community Foundation. We feel it is vital to invest in young people and our local community.”
Picture: Neal Hooper, Managing Director of Aico and Mandy Thorn MBE DL, High Sheriff of Shropshire at Aico’s Office in Oswestry.
Mandy Thorn MBE DL, former Chair of Trustees for Lingen Davies and former President of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, is the current High Sheriff of Shropshire having taken over from Selina Graham in April this year. The High Sheriff of Shropshire is an independent and non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The office of High Sheriff is the oldest in the country, having existed for over 1,000 years. Existing to bring support to services, and institutions to give the county structure and cohesion and by identifying any challenges within the local area, the High Sheriff will use their time in office to try to deliver change with the support of police, legal teams, local councils, and charities involved in social support.
High Sheriff of Shropshire Mandy Thorn will be supporting the wonderful colleagues from Aico and other participants undertaking the Pedal the Borders event taking place on Sunday the 10th of September. The 25km, 60km, and 100km cycle route will end back at Aico’s headquarters in Oswestry. Money raised from the event will further support the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund as this event has already raised over £70,000 for this Shropshire and Mid-Wales based charity.
To find out more about the Shropshire Community Foundation, please visit https://www.shropshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk/
