11/2011 - The Who Cares? Trust receives surprise £200k gift from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

For immediate release
9 October 2011

The Who Cares? Trust is delighted to announce that it has been chosen as a recipient of a ‘birthday gift’ from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to mark the Foundation’s 50th anniversary.

The £200,000 donation will be used to develop and strengthen the Trust’s policy work and influence in order to ensure that the views and experiences of children in care are heard at the highest level. This includes funding for a Policy and Research Officer position.

The Foundation is one of the largest independent foundations in the UK, making 440 grants and spending in excess of £30 million last year.  To mark its 50th year, the Foundation chose 14 organisations to receive birthday grants, totalling £5 million.

Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive of The Who Cares? Trust said:

“We are thrilled and honoured to have been chosen to receive a birthday grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. It was such a surprise to open the letter containing the cheque – I could hardly believe my eyes!  The money will make a huge difference to the work that the Trust is able to deliver over the next year, and will be crucial in helping us to support and empower children and young people in care to relay their views to decision makers to help improve the care system.’

Dawn Austwick, chief executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation said:

“The work of The Who Cares? Trust is vital in ensuring children in care have their views and experiences heard. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is pleased, as part of our 50th birthday celebrations, to support the development of the Trust’s policy work to bring about a care system that is responsive to the needs of some of the most vulnerable children in society.”

- Ends -

Notes to editors

1.    The Who Cares? Trust is a UK-wide charity that works to improve the lives of children and young people in care. We do this by:
•    using our expertise and influence with government policy-makers
•    informing, empowering and supporting children and young people in care, through our magazines and other publications and through projects and campaigns which directly benefit them, and
•    producing information and support materials for foster carers and professionals as a means to improving the lives of children in care.

2.    Established in 1961, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. It aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK both now and in the future, by funding the charitable activities of     organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. Esmée’s primary interests are in the arts, education and learning, the environment and enabling disadvantaged people to participate fully in society.

3.    For media enquiries contact Jemma Roche on 020 7017 2788, or email Jemma.Roche@thewhocarestrust.org.uk

The Who Cares? Trust is a registered charity (No. 1010518). A Company limited by guarantee. Registered in London (No. 2700693). VAT Reg. No. 577853091
Charity web design by Fat Beehive - Main photo by epidemya