Mencap benefit from £4,800 donation

Money will fund pottery for adults and children with learning disabilities

WEST Berkshire Mencap has received £4,800 to fund a pottery for children and adults with learning disabilities.

The donation was provided by Santander’s The Discovery Foundation, which offers grants to UK-registered charities for projects that help disadvantaged people in local communities.

The cheque was presented at Santander’s Newbury branch on Monday and the money will go towards Growing4All, West Berkshire Mencap’s horticultural project.

Leila Ferguson, chief executive at West Berkshire Mencap, said: “This grant enables the people we support to access even more fantastic opportunities and we would like to thank everyone at Santander for their kindness and support of children and adults with learning disabilities.

“We are looking forward to working more closely together in the future.”

Helen Boshier at Santander’s Newbury branch said: “The Discovery Foundation makes hundreds of donations every year to good causes throughout the UK.

“Our branch is committed to playing a key part in the community and we are delighted to be supporting West Berkshire Mencap, and hope the donation makes a real difference to local people.”

The Discovery Foundation, which was launched in March 2016, is the new working name of the Santander Foundation.

Over the last five years, the foundation has provided £25m in funding to 12,600 UK charities and in 2016 a further £5m will be available through Discovery Grants.