The Pavers Foundation has donated £2,000 to Yorkshire based charity Dementia Forward following a grant application from Mark Granger, Strategic Advisor and Chairman of Foundation at York Headquartered Pavers, family owned and run multi-channel shoe retailer.
The Foundation is an employee-led initiative, encouraging colleagues from across the business to apply for funding in their local communities for charities and causes that have a personal importance to them.
Mark was inspired to apply for the grant funding because of becoming aware of the charity from a friend whose partner was diagnosed with this debilitating disease at just 52 years of age.
Mark commented; “having known Mike and his partner Julie for over 20 years and witnessed the devastating effect dementia can have on people at a relatively young age, I was determined to try and help in whatever small way I could. Mike has taken part in several activities to raise both awareness and funds in support of Dementia Forward. This prompted me to apply to the Pavers Foundation and the committee members kindly agreed to support my application. I trust this grant will help the charity continue its excellent work in supporting the people and families affected by this terrible condition.”
Mark Granger, Chairman of the Foundation
Speaking about the donation Jillian Quinn, Founder of Dementia Forward said; “This has been a testing year for everyone and we are grateful not only for the donation from Pavers but the show of support from their organisation. It helps us to carry on doing what we need to do to support those in our community affected by dementia. We were delighted to receive the generous donation of £2000. As a local charity we make every penny count and we rely heavily on local support. We are based in North Yorkshire and support over 4,000 families living with dementia. Particularly during Covid we have had to use innovative ways of reaching people to provide the much-needed support, advice and information, but equally important is the wellbeing of people with the condition and this is a challenge during lockdowns.
Ordinarily we run 15 pop up wellbeing services every week but, in their place, we have started a project called ‘Café in a Box’. The funds received from Pavers will help us to buy and equip the boxes. They contain various activities, with personalised items such as sports memorabilia or knitting! Alongside this for some people we are able to provide a ‘robotic cat’.
We were particularly delighted to receive these words from a lady we recently delivered one of our robotic cats to, it is wonderful to make such a difference to someone's wellbeing; It is brilliant, and my husband loves it and has given it three names. He talks to it, strokes it and is not as lonely all the time. It has been a godsend, thank you so much”.
Founded by Catherine Paver in 1971, Pavers established the Foundation in 2018 to enable charitable giving by the business and its 1400 staff. Since launched, the Pavers Foundation is proud to have donated over £913,000 to charities & causes in health, education and community. This has been possible through employee grant applications, nominated company charity of the year funding, and donations made on behalf of the Paver family.
