THE Dorset-based Talbot Village Trust charity has announced record donations of more than £1million.

The trust, established by Georgina and Mary Talbot in the mid 1800s, has supported hundreds of charitable causes across East Dorset.

Last year 37 different organisations benefitted from a pot of £1,141,000 – breaking the charity’s previous annual record by £200,000.

Chairman of the trustees Christopher Lees said: “Our main objective is to provide as much financial support for as many East Dorset charities as possible.

“The more we’re able to give, the more successful the end result is for the various beneficiaries and we were delighted to reach this milestone.”

The trust says it’s been able to donate the additional funds because of a ‘general and sustained increase’ in its income over recent years.

Some of the charities to benefit from Talbot Village Trust grants this year include RLSS Poole Lifeguard (£17,600); Streetwise (£40,500); Mudeford Wood Community Centre (£20,000); Not Just Sundaes community cafe, Wareham (£50,000); Seen but Seldom Heard (£12,132); Cherry Tree Nursery (£150,000); Wheels for Freedom (£12,000); Vita Nova (£7,190); Purbeck Strings (£1,265); DiverseAbilities Plus (£30,000) and St Clements Church, Boscombe (£3,500).

A spokesman for the trust explained: “The trust has supported hundreds of charitable causes in East Dorset distributing around £800,000 in more recent years to local community projects. No scheme is too big or small for considerations as long as it is a capital project promoted by another charity, school, college, university or church.”

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