GRASS ROOTS groups working with refugees and families affected by the cost of living crisis will benefit after insurance agency staff nominated Wiltshire Community Foundation for their company’s charity fund.

NFU Mutual staff in Marlborough said they chose the charity because of the breadth of its support for causes in rural areas.

The foundation was presented with a cheque for £3,189 by Agent PA and Senior Claim Adviser Samantha Edwards and Business Account Manager Jemma Clarke.

The money is part of NFU Mutual’s national £1.92million Agency Giving Fund, set up three years ago to help frontline charities across the country.

The agency made a £3.25m funding pledge for local and national charities in 2022 to help tackle the continuing effects of the pandemic and assist with recovery.

Mrs Edwards said: “We were really pleased to be able to contribute towards the work of the community foundation because it supports so many causes.”

Ms Clarke added: “I’ve been aware of what the community foundation does for a while and when we were given the chance to support a charity I thought of them straight away. They help so many people, especially in rural areas.”

Fiona Oliver, the community foundation’s Joint Chief Executive said the money will go to its Welcome Fund, which supports groups and charities helping refugees from Ukraine and all over the world, and the Poverty Hurts Fund, set up earlier this year for groups assisting families and individuals struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“We are very thankful to NFU Mutual and particularly the lovely staff in the Marlborough branch who nominated us,” she said.

“These two funds will make a huge difference to those who are trying to build a new life here in Wiltshire and also offer hope and support to families and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet.”

John Hardman, an NFU Mutual agent at the Marlborough office, said: “We’re extremely proud to have nominated Wiltshire Community Foundation for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community.”

Find out more about the community foundation’s work at wiltshirecf.org.uk.