Charities to benefit from £3.1m from insurer

Young Lives vs Cancer and Mental Health Innovations are among good causes to benefit from £3.1m in funding pledged by insurer Zurich's charitable arm over the next three years.

They will receive £1.4m between them as two of three national charity partners announced today by Zurich Community Trust (ZCT).

Another national charity partner announced is GoodGym, which helps people to get fit and is being backed with £101,814 worth of funding.

Young Lives vs Cancer chief executive Rachel Kirby-Rider said: “We’re thrilled to announce this ground-breaking partnership with Zurich Community Trust.

“Their support will make a huge difference for young people with cancer and their families by helping us strengthen and expand our Home from Home service.

“Every year, more than 4,000 children and young people receive a cancer diagnosis in the UK.

“We rely on charitable donations to support them and their families. This is why we are excited to collaborate closely with ZCT to ensure that children and young people with cancer receive the support they need, when they need it.”

Local charities to benefit

Also being supported y the insurer's Trust are 31 local charities across 17 UK locations, including Swindon, London and Glasgow. This includes its 17 existing partners and 14 new ones.

Regional charities being helped include Hampshire based Yellow Door, which provides providing specialist support for individuals and families affected by domestic and sexual abuse.

Another is Leeds charity Flourishing Families, which helps children and families living in poverty.

Its new regional charity partners include Headway Swindon, which has been handed £60,000 to launch an annual Integrated Health Promotion Programme for adults with acquired and traumatic brain injuries.

“We’re delighted to welcome our new charity partners as part of Zurich Community Trust’s commitment to enriching communities together, said the funder’s interim head Samantha Owen.

“By working in partnership to support young people, improve mental health, and strengthen local networks, we aim to create lasting, positive change and empower our partners to make an even greater impact where it’s needed most.”