The Mayor of Croydon's Charity Fund

The Mayor of Croydon's Charity Fund (Charity number: 1042479) is a nonprofit organisation in the United Kingdom dedicated to supporting local charitable causes during the civic mayoral term in Croydon. This fund operates by raising awareness and collecting donations, which are subsequently distributed to selected charities that address diverse social issues within the Croydon community.

Overview

Each year, the serving Civic Mayor of Croydon selects two local charities to benefit from the Mayor's Charity Fund. The funds raised throughout the mayoral year are divided equally between these chosen organisations. This approach allows the fund to support a variety of causes, reflecting the priorities and focus of the incumbent Mayor.

Charitable Activities and Beneficiaries

The Mayor of Croydon's Charity Fund supports charities that address critical community needs, including health, social welfare, and homelessness. Examples of beneficiary organisations include:

• The Family Centre: Operating in areas such as Fieldway and New Addington, which face high levels of social deprivation, The Family Centre aims to empower families and children by enhancing their health, educational outcomes, social conditions, and employment prospects. Their mission emphasizes raising aspirations and creating opportunities with a proactive ‘can do’ attitude.

• Nightwatch: This charity focuses on homelessness, acting as a first point of contact for homeless individuals. Nightwatch provides essential items such as food, clothing, toiletries, and household goods. Moreover, they assist in stabilising formerly homeless people into new accommodations and support the unemployed homeless both financially and emotionally. They also educate the broader community about homelessness realities.

• The Brenda Kirby Cancer Centre Charity: In more recent years, this charity has been among the recipients, supporting cancer treatment and care within Croydon.

• The Lily Pad Appeal: A fundraising initiative aimed at creating a state-of-the-art Children's Oncology Unit at Croydon University Hospital.

Throughout the year, the Mayor participates in community events and campaigns to raise funds and awareness for these charities, reinforcing civic engagement and support for vulnerable groups in Croydon.

Community Engagement

The Mayor of Croydon actively participates in various community activities that align with the Fund's mission. For instance, the Mayor has joined events aimed at uniting the community against youth violence, such as football tournaments that promote safety, unity, and positive futures for young people. These initiatives also often include partnerships with local organisations dedicated to improving youth welfare and reducing crime.

Governance and Funding

The Charity Fund is governed under the auspices of the Croydon Council's civic mayoralty. Fundraising efforts are coordinated throughout the mayoral year, with transparent distribution to the designated charities. This structure ensures that the charitable contributions have a direct impact on local causes and allows the Mayor to champion important social issues on behalf of the Croydon community.

This structure of annual selection, community engagement, and targeted support enables The Mayor of Croydon's Charity Fund to make a notable positive difference across a range of social challenges within the borough.

Charity Number: 1042479

[1] https://www.croydon.gov.uk/council-and-elections/mayors-croydon/civic-mayor-croydon/civic-mayors-charities [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1042479/full-print [3] https://www.croydon.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-06/the_mayor_of_croydon_and_the_mayor_s_charities_2021-2022.pdf [4] https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/mayorscharity/ [5] https://www.palaceforlife.org/news/community-engagement/mayor-of-croydon-joins-community-football-event-to-unite-against-youth-violence/