West Country Financial Planning firm Old Mill has handed £50,000 to local good causes through its charitable fund which has awarded 40 grants and supported more than 4,000 people across Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire in three years.

The Old Mill Fund was set up in 2019, when the business partnered with grant-making charity Somerset Community Foundation (SCF).

Jon Orchard, partner at Old Mill, said: “While do not have a particular monetary goal in mind, we wish to continue to spread the word about how important we believe philanthropic giving should be for businesses and individuals, and lead by example.  

“We are finding that businesses are starting to think more about their impact on the communities around them and how they can be a powerful force for good.”

The money is raised through regular donations directly from Old Mill, personal contributions and fundraising by staff at the company’s four offices in Wells, Yeovil, Chippenham and Exeter.

Jon Orchard helps manage the fund and has personally raised more than £2,500 through various sponsored events, including a 45-mile run and strapping himself to the top of a stunt plane.

Twice a year, Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire Community Foundations assess applications they have received from inspiring local projects that fit the fund’s three key objectives of building brighter futures, reducing rural loneliness and strengthening communities.

Old Mill chooses the projects it would most like to support; charities that have been awarded grants so far include Sweet Track Counselling Agency, a counselling service based in Glastonbury, Open Arms East Devon, which provides support for adults with mental health difficulties, and Wiltshire Treehouse, a charity that provides bereavement support for children, young people, and families in Swindon and Wiltshire.

One of the charities that have been chosen this year is Doorway, a Chippenham-based project that supports vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness or housing issues, by running drop-in sessions offering hot food, showers, laundry, internet access.

The other is Youth Resource Services, part of The Rendezvous - a youth project in Yeovil and Sherborne. The grant will provide one to one maths and English tutoring for young people who struggle in traditional educational settings.

Laura Blake, philanthropy director at the Somerset Community Fund, said: “Our partnership with Old Mill is a very special one.

“The firm’s donations to The Old Mill Fund have helped us provide more vital funding for small, local charities working to support young people, improve people’s mental health and invest in strengthening local communities and we’re thrilled to have awarded over £50,000 of funding since 2019.”