There's still a chance to get community cash

THERE'S still time to get an application in to a community cash giveaway as it has extended the scheme's deadline.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th May 2016, 05:55 BST
The panel which met last year to decide which community groups will receive funding from The Car Finance Company's Friends in Finance cash giveaway Picture: Sarah Standing (150890-1771)The panel which met last year to decide which community groups will receive funding from The Car Finance Company's Friends in Finance cash giveaway Picture: Sarah Standing (150890-1771)
The panel which met last year to decide which community groups will receive funding from The Car Finance Company's Friends in Finance cash giveaway Picture: Sarah Standing (150890-1771)

The Car Finance Company, an employee-owned enterprise, has made £20,000 available to organisations, groups or individuals who make a difference to the Portsmouth community.

It launched its Friends in Finance scheme last year in order to give something back to the community which helped it get where it is today.

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The company was started in 2007 from founder Mark Smith’s spare bedroom in Southsea. Mark’s goal was to help provide finance to those with poor credit, with a focus on ethical and responsible lending.

The company now has more than 30,000 customers and more than 350 employees, 100 of whom are based at the head office in Portsmouth.

Mr Smith said the projects could be anything from building a playground to funding a public event, anything which would help ‘make Portsmouth a better place’.

He added: ‘We are delighted to see the Friends in Finance community projects award return for a second year.

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‘Last year we met some fantastic people and organisations doing their bit for the wider community.

‘It was a huge privilege for us to help them with the very worthy work they do.’

Last year the firm donated £20,000 to four Portsmouth charities – including Havant-based Beat the Bullies, which was founded by teenager Chloe Hine, from Havant, which got a £10,000 boost.

The company also gave £5,000 to Hannah’s Holiday Home Appeal – a charity that provides holidays for families with terminally ill children.

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The Portsmouth Hospitals Charity was also awarded £4,000 and the Portsmouth-based Working Age MS Support Group received £1,000.

The new deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 12.

To apply go to thecarfinancecompany.co.uk/Friends.

Finalists will be chosen by staff at the company’s head office.

The winners will be chosen by a judging panel and awarded their funding – either £10,000, £5,000, £3,000 or £1,000 – in person from Mr Smith at the winners’ breakfast.

Related topics:PortsmouthSouthsea