A charitable foundation launched by a North Staffordshire building society is celebrating its third birthday. 

The Leek Building Society Charitable Foundation provides grants up to £5,000 to local charities and community groups that have a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged or vulnerable people in the local area.

The Charitable Foundation has donated over £35,000 in the last year to foodbanks, mental health services, community gardens and many more causes. 

Leek Building Society chief executive, Andy Deeks said: "Our Charitable Foundation has gone from strength to strength, helping us to increase the scale and scope of our charitable giving. 

"Its primary function is to provide grants of between £500 and £5,000 to local charities and community groups and during the year, over £35,000 was donated to a number of worthy causes."

Orchid Women's Services, based on Festival Way in Etruria, was awarded over £4,750 from Leek Building Society Charitable Foundation on behalf of North Staffs Soroptimists to help provide clothing and food to homeless women in Stoke-on-Trent.  

Leek Building Society has branches in Hanley and Newcastle providing high-quality mortgage, savings products and community events. (Leek Building Society)

North Staffs Soroptimists club president, Helen Champenois said: "We're absolutely delighted to receive the grant from the Leek Building Society's Charitable Foundation. 

"These funds will make a huge difference to the lives of homeless women across North Staffordshire, providing essential warm clothing and prepared meals through Orchid Women's Services."

Other local causes supported by the Charitable Foundation include the Newcastle Foodbank which received a grant of £3,000 and Mother's Mind Staffordshire, which received £2,400 to help the development of peer-led support groups for women and new mothers.  

Charities and community organisations based in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire within a 10-mile radius of a Leek Building Society branch or Leek Head office can apply for grants up to £5,000. 

The Charitable Foundation welcomes applications from organisations working towards the perception of poverty, provision of welfare advice, advancement of community facilities and the provision of healthy food for vulnerable and disadvantaged people. 

In addition, applications from organisations working towards the development of digital inclusion and supporting people into work are also welcomed. 

Find out more about Leek Building Society Charitable Foundation here.

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