Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) Business Club has awarded two grants totalling £6,000 to St Keverne Methodist Church for community projects.

James Sculthorp-Wright and Jayne Robinson of Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management (AFWM) visited the project on behalf of the CCF Business Club to present the cheque and see the Little Blessings parent and toddler group in action.

James, financial adviser with AFWM, said: “It was great to see first-hand how the money we and other CCF Business Club members annually contribute is being invested in local communities.

"St Keverne is very remote and its community facilities are vital. The children and families we met during our visit really valued the opportunities provided by the new parent and toddler group and their refurbished facilities.”

A first grant of £3,000 in October 2017 part-funded a £10,500 upgrade to the community hall, including the installation of double glazing to improve comfort and energy efficiency.

The more recent grant of £3,000 supported the establishment of a new parent and Toddler group for the area.

Tony Ings, manager of the project for the Methodist Church, said, “Previously some parents in St Keverne have travelled up to 12 miles to attend groups that were already at bursting point. Thanks to the grants from the CCF Business Club, we have been able to set up this service locally.

As well as the new parent and toddler group, the hall is regularly used by the parish council, Foodbank, Good Companions, Pilates, WI, Gardeners’ Society, Open Wednesday Group, children’s birthday parties and coffee mornings.”

The CCF Business Club is a group of businesses who all make an annual contribution to CCF that is pooled and awarded to support local community projects in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

At its latest grant panel meeting in October, members awarded £17,500 to eight community groups across Cornwall, including Illogan Old School Community Centre, Pipers Pool Methodist Church, Tintagel PRFA, Devon & Cornwall Food Action, Camelford and District Age Concern and Lelant Village Hall.

Jayne Robinson, AFWM’s marketing and charity coordinator, said: “Small, carefully targeted grants make such a difference to local communities and people. Our company is delighted to support the Business Club Fund and it’s heartening to visit a group of volunteers working so enthusiastically to provide services needed in their local area.”