A NEW community fund is to be launched next week with the aim of supporting community projects, voluntary groups and needy residents in Haslemere and the surrounding area. The Haslemere-Challice Community Fund has been established to provide the town with a sustainable source of funding that will, over time, make a significant contribution to meeting the charitable needs of the community. The fund will incorporate a bequest that was made to the Haslemere community by Ruth Challice-Bush in 1962. Over the years, the Challice Trust has supported a wide range of community projects and it will continue to do so as the cornerstone of the Haslemere-Challice Community Fund. The £0.5 million already in the Challice Trust will become part of the fund, building a capital which will be added to provide a permanent source of funds for community groups. Vice chairman of the foundation, Matthew Bowcock, said : "By becoming the Haslemere-Challice Community Fund, additional donations can be added at any level. Further sums have already been donated to the fund and it is hoped that over the years, the capital will grow to generate a permanent stream of income which can be used to strengthen our community." Key objectives are to: create a permanent source of community capital to support and benefit community projects, voluntary groups and needy residents. Also to provide an effective way for individuals and businesses in Haslemere and the surrounding area to support their local community. The community fund will be operated by the Surrey Community Foundation, part of a network of community foundations and an independent charity that builds community funds to meet the needs of communities and voluntary groups. Individuals can give to the community fund by gifts or legacies of cash, shares, property, or land. As the Surrey Community Foundation is a registered charity, donations can be very tax efficient for donors. If you would like a Gift Aid form or would like to leave a legacy to your local community, ask your financial or legal adviser to contact the Community Foundation. Businesses can also contribute to the health of their local community through the community fund, thus enabling them to direct all requests from voluntary groups for financial support to the Surrey Community Foundation. The community fund will give recognition to businesses that contribute to the fund. The donor's wishes can be taken into account so gifts can be for distribution to charities, community and voluntary groups in the short term or to be held as interest generating endowments, producing a permanent source of funds to support the community. The official launch of the fund will be on Thursday, at Hazelhurst, Bunch Lane, Haslemere. The evening will include a short performance by the chapel choir of St Edmunds School, Hindhead. For more information visit http://www.haslemere.com/">www.haslemere.com/ communityfund or http://www.surreycommunityfoundation.org.uk ">www.surreycommunityfoundation.org.uk ;
