A Good Cause for Celebration
In 1990, Adnams celebrated its centenary year as a public company by establishing a charity. Adnams shareholders agreed to support its formation, which would be funded by 1% of Adnams annual profits. Today, this social endeavour is still going strong and had reached its own landmark birthday.
It was created to support worthwhile causes within a 25-mile radius of its hometown of Southwold and formalise the good work the company was already undertaking. The Adnams Community Trust is celebrating its 30-year Anniversary alongside everything its contributions have meant to the individuals and organisations it has been able to help.
Back at its inception, Adnams joined a select group of companies which were part of the ‘One Percent Club,’ committed to donating a minimum of one percent of annual profit to charity and the first grants were made in May 1991.
Jonathan Adnams, Chairman of Adnams and of the Adnams Community Trust comments:
“30 years ago, we formed the charity to help formalise the good work already happening in Adnams, and the shareholders overwhelmingly supported our decision. Adnams has always been about doing the right thing, and I’m proud of what the Trust has achieved over the past three decades. As we look to the future, we hope the Trust will continue to go from strength to strength and remain at the heart of the community.”
The charity has awarded over 1,500 grants to date, supporting local causes to the tune of £1.425 million. Areas of support include education, health and social welfare, recreation, buildings and community facilities and conservation. The Trustees work was stalled by lockdown earlier in the year, but they managed to meet in October and recommence their important work.
Some of the recent recipients include Thorpeness Beach Baggers, who are all residents of the village. For the past 16 years they have been committed to cleaning the local beach, but this year, they expanded their environmental efforts to include planting heritage fruit trees .They were awarded a grant of £920 to help bring their plans to fruition. Other organisations that have recently benefitted from grants include local pre-schools, village halls, sports associations and causes such as Woodbridge Riding for the Disabled, and a local hedgehog rescue centre, Hedgehog Rescue.
2020 has been year of significant challenges for businesses and charities alike, however, the Adnams Community Trust is fortunate to have been supported through various fundraising activities including Pennies and the Adnams Virtual events, which replaced the company’s usual 10k run. During the first lockdown in spring, the Directors of Adnams took a 50 % pay cut and a portion of those funds were given to the Trust to enable it to continue its great work.
Pennies is the digital charity box which allows people to round up their shopping to the nearest pound, with the extra pennies being donated directly to charity. This is operated in the Adnams retail stores and has to date raised over £30,000 for the Trust.
Adnams was unable to hold its annual 10k in November but maintained the sense of occasion with a trio of virtual events at the end of October. The virtual 5k, 10k, and Suffolk Pub Tour, saw over 700 entrants take part throughout the country and help raise a further £5,000 for the Adnams Community Trust. The runners were rewarded with an environmentally friendly wooden medal, which doubles up as a coaster. Hopes are high that runners will be back to pounding the streets of Southwold in 2021.
Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams and Trustee of the Adnams Community Trusts remarks
“I have always believed that business should be a force for good, which is why Adnams supporting the Trust with 1% profits is something I’m passionate about. 2020 has not been a great year in the industry, but we will continue to ensure the Adnams Community Trust is funded to support our community in times of need.”
The Adnams Community Trust is truly grateful to all those who continue to support it through donations, mandated dividends and spreading the word of the Trust.
The trustees would welcome more small community, environmental projects within the catchment area. If you’d like to apply for a grant or make a donation to the Trust please visit https://www.adnams.co.uk/customer/pages/community-trust for more details.
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