Celebrating 20 years of giving!

A celebration in Cornwall Cathedral

Cornwall Community Foundation’s enjoyed celebrating 20 years of giving at Truro Cathedral brought together charities, projectsA piece of work that delivers an output. and communities from across the Duchy. Since the first grant we gave out 20 years ago, we have shared over £20 million with more than  8,000 groups across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

27 of these groups have received grants over the years came to the event as stallholders. These groups included Citizens Advice Cornwall, KBSK, Blind at Sea, Cornwall Pride and Swamp Circus.

At the event, we also had a time capsule. Guests wrote their hopes for Cornwall on postcards that will soon be buried in the capsule. It will stay underground, unopened, at Trewithen Estate until December 2044.

In the Cathedral, guests were also able to marvel at a large jellyfish sculpture. The piece, loaned to us by Beach Guardian, was designed and made by students from Wadebridge High School from from ghost gear. These lost and discarded fishing nets and ropes had been collected from the seven bays around Padstow. Suspended from the cathedral’s ceiling, the piece aimed to raise awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans and the importance of environmental education.

Brilliant speakers from CCF and beyond

The presentations were opened by CCF’s President, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE CStJ. He spoke about Cornwall’s reliance on the groups working tirelessly in their communities. As well as thanking the donors supporting their work via CCF. He also passed on congratulations from the foundation’s patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

CEO of Carefree Cornwall, Mari Eggins, and co-founder of Black Voices Cornwall, Abi Hutchinson, also spoke. They shared more about their projects, how big the need is for charities and groups like theirs, and how CCF’s funding has helped them thrive.

Black Voices Cornwall’s vision is to connect rural communities and people through cultural understanding. To make our neighbourhoods and businesses a safe space for all ethnicities. With CCF’s support, Black Voices Cornwall has run free cultural events, showcasing local artists and ensuring fair pay and created and shared educational resources. In her speech, co-founder Abi Hutchinson said,

“no charity runs on good faith alone and it is at times when we require the support of our local stakeholders that CCF proudly steps forward to make our work possible.”

From the CCF Board of Trustees, Chair and Vice-Chairs Kim Conchie DL FRSA and High Sherrif of Cornwall Sam Galsworthy spoke. While he was bringing the presentations to a close, Sam gave a tribute to his father, Michael Galsworthy CVO CBE FRAgS DL. It was Michael Galsworthy and Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow DCVO that founded CCF in 2003, before the foundation awarded its first grant in 2004. Michael Galsworthy said,

“The help, whether in kind or financial that CCF has brought to virtually every sector of our local economy has been and most certainly still is extraordinary and I am proud to maintain my association.”

Amazing performances from grant awardees

During the celebration, Kitty Crocker and Drama Express performed. Kitty Crocker, is a singer-songwriter from Cornwall. She recieved funding from Young and Talented, The Lord Lieutenant’s FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. in 2023 to release her first EP. Her career has continued to grow since then and she performed two stunning original songs in the cathedral.

Drama Express are a charity developing the potential of children and young people with additional needs through performing arts. Their performance of ‘It’s OK to be Different’ showed the range of talent on display and the positive difference the charity’s work is making in young people’s lives.

A word from our CEO

We asked CEO of Cornwall Community Foundation, Tamas Haydu, about the celebration and he said,

“This was such an uplifting and inspirational event. We were so happy to see a wide range of groups represented and talking about their work with guests from across the Duchy.”

“From the groups exhibiting and the amazing sculpture from Beach Guardian to the brilliant performances and speeches, this event celebrated the community projects and individuals making a difference across the county. A big thank you to everyone who attended and for making Cornwall a better place for one and all.”