Newbottle church parish to make a decade of funding from late benefactor

The late Francis William Taylor established an endowment fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland with a legacy gift of £367,610.

The fund was established with specific criteria to support the repair and maintenance of St Matthew’s Parish Church in Newbottle, and provide educational grants and scholarships to inhabitants of the area.

The fund began making awards in 2006 and has awarded more than 100 awards, with 51 people benefitting from educational support, and St Matthew’s Church receiving major repairs.

Su Legg, senior philanthropy advisor at the Community Foundation, said: “The late Francis William Taylor is remembered as a caring individual who believed strongly in the importance of education, and community life in Newbottle.

“His legacy exists as a fund in perpetuity at the Community Foundation, and we’re delighted to celebrate its impact in providing educational opportunities and scholarships to inhabitants of the parish.

Joanne Martin recently completed a four-year part-time Global MBA at Durham University thanks to a bursary which was funded from Mr Taylor’s donation.

She is now working at Sunderland College as a tutor in business.

To improve her employability opportunities, Joanne enrolled on a course to enable her to teach business to degree standard.

On Sunday, September 18, St Matthew’s will hold a special service at 6pm to recognise the support from the Taylor Fund.

All are welcome to attend the service.