Vernon and Stockport Express launch £10,000 Jubilee Fund

The Vernon Building Society has teamed up with the Stockport Express to launch sixth £10,000 Jubilee fund to support good causes in the town.

The Fund – set up by the mutual building society in the Queen’s Jubilee year – has handed out more than £50,000 to community groups and charities since 2012.

Mike Hanson, chief executive of the Vernon, said:

“We are delighted to be teaming up with the Stockport Express to give £10,000 to good causes.

“When we set up the Jubilee Fund in 2012, we wanted it to make a difference to groups and volunteers in the Stockport area.
“We also wanted a lasting legacy that carried on over many years.”

The Vernon is now looking for applications for this year’s fund from groups that can demonstrate that the funding will make a difference in their area and provide a lasting benefit to their community.

All applications will be reviewed and a shortlist of 16 finalists selected by the Jubilee Fund panel.
These 16 finalists will then be featured in the Stockport Express along with tokens for members of the public to vote for their preferred cause. For the first time people will also have the chance to register a vote online through the Society’s Facebook page.

Funding will then be allocated to groups in proportion to the votes they receive.
Each charity or community group will receive a minimum of £100, and the remaining £8,400 will then be divided by the total number of votes received to determine the value of each vote.

Katherine Vine, senior reporter at the Stockport Express, said:

“It is exciting to be once again opening the Jubilee Fund up for nominations, and I look forward to seeing the applications.
“This is a great scheme that so many can benefit from.”

Groups who want to take part can apply via the Vernon Building Society website at www.thevernon.co.uk/apply.
Organisations must be based in, or benefit, the postcode areas SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4,
SK5, SK6, SK7, SK8 or SK12.

Applications supporting individuals or individual sponsorships, political activities, promotion of religious causes, activities that benefit animals or commercial enterprises won’t be considered.