Charities around the UK and overseas have benefitted from £1 million of donations from the Harrison Foundation in 2023.
Alongside six established Harrison Centres for Social Mobility, a variety of other charities and good causes have received donations this year to enable them to continue having a positive impact in local communities.
Amongst those receiving donations from the Harrison Foundation in 2023 was First Stop in Darlington, home of one of the Harrison Centres. First Stop works with local people of all ages to help them acquire the skills needed to find employment.
There was continued support for Sunderland’s Foundation of Light and the Newcastle United Foundation, where two further Harrison Centres are based. These partnerships, first established in 2017, have now seen hundreds of people aged 13-17 progress with qualifications and confidence into employment.
Elsewhere 2023 saw the official opening of the Harrison Centre Antigua and Barbuda, the first overseas Harrison Centre. The multi-million pound facility was opened in November by Sir David and Lady Sylvia Harrison with Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who hailed the Centre as a beacon of opportunity that will shine bright for decades to come.
Closer to home in the UK, there was additional support for St Oswald’s Hospice, which cares for people across the North East with incurable conditions. The Harrison Foundation’s donation enabled the charity to purchase vital new equipment for its patients. Harrison Foundation trustee, Daniel Harrison, said: “I know that this donation will have such a positive impact for St Oswald’s Hospice patients and that’s what the Harrison Foundation is all about.”
2023 also saw a £220,000 donation to Mowden Hall in Northumberland to create ‘The Harrison Theatre’, that will provide students and the local community with a versatile space for artistic expression and skills development. The project includes installing flexible seating, new lighting, and a complete facelift for the theatre, creating an inspiring and multi-purpose venue that will instil pride and confidence in all those who use it.
This year, against the backdrop of rising prices and pressure on charity budgets, the Harrison Foundation was proud to step up once again and support our long-standing partners as well as building new partnerships.
We look forward to much more in 2024 and we’d like to say a big thank you to all our partners who do such amazing and valuable work.
All the Harrison Foundation trustees wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.