Since the Huntingdon Freemen’s Charity was set up in 1993 it has been able to help a growing number of applicants in many different ways and has made grants totalling over £5 million. Each year over £300,000 is awarded in grants to individual residents of Huntingdon and organisations that help meet their needs.

Some major awards have been:

• £450,000 to the MRI Scanner Appeal

• £250,000 to launch the appeal for the cancer unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital
• £280,000 to MacMillan Cancer Relief

• £205,000 for Hartford Village Hall

• £110,000 to the Papworth Trust for the Saxongate Centre
• £100,000 to St John Ambulance plus another £100,000 on offer for a major new facility
• £120,000 for computers in schools plus annual grants to schools now totalling over £500,000
• £105,000 to the MS Therapy centre

• £148,000 to the Huntingdon Olympic Gym Club plus £50,000 on offer towards a new development
• Grants totalling £200,000 to Natural High

• £70,000 towards refurbishment of St Mary’s Hall

• £50,000 for computer equipment and training at Oxmoor Community Action Group

And many more grants to organisations, plus thousands to individuals. Applications are enormously varied. Grants have included adapted vehicles, bedding, carpeting, washing machines, cookers, college courses, help with student accommodation costs, pensioners’ Christmas lunches and many others.

In addition to making grants, the Charity buys special equipment for disabled and handicapped people and loans them to applicants free of charge. (Loans may be subject to doctor and/or occupational therapist assessments. We liaise with Social Services on grant procedures for major home improvements.)
Current loans include:

• 105 powered scooters and wheelchairs
• 10 stairlifts and bathlifts
• 5 motorised chairs and beds
• 7 computers

Under our education objective we:

• Give annual grants to local schools
• Help college students on courses away from home with expenses, currently half of accommodation costs
• Pay for some local courses or help buy essential equipment and clothing.

All decisions are at the discretion of the Trustees. Applications are considered monthly, although there are procedures for dealing with genuine emergencies. At the present time grants are not ‘rationed’ in any way.

All applications and applicant details are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

In 2007 224 applications were received; 177 gained an award and 47 were refused.