(From left) Cllr. Sally Marks, Wendy Varcoe from the Surrey Community Foundation, David and Lesley Gold, Dr. Helen Bowcock, TCF panel members Mike Moss and Jeremy Webster.

The new Tandridge Community Fund ('TCF') received a generous boost to its funds recently during an informal function hosted by Surrey County Councillor for Caterham Valley, Sally Marks. Founder members of TCF including Chairman, Mike Moss, took the opportunty to explain to their special guests the significance of the new local fund and the enormous potential it has to assist local groups and individuals in need of financial support. The guest speaker was Dr Helen Bowcock, author of 'Hidden Surrey', a report that explains in detail why 'local giving' is needed to strengthen our communities. TCF is administered by the Community Foundation for Surrey which awards grants across the county. TCF's initial target is to raise a £100,000 capital fund in order to be in a position to start awarding grants in Tandridge and the fund already has nearly £40,000. Thanks to the government's 'Grassroots' initiative, any £1 donation made before March 2011 is matched with a further £1 from the Office of the Third Sector's Grassroots programme and with Gift Aid the donation more than doubles, pushing a £1 donation up to the sum of £2.56 for the Fund.

After the event, TCF Chairman Mike Moss said: "I am very grateful to Sally Marks for hosting this event and for the support and generosity shown by those who attended. Our fund is steadily growing and we are especially keen to take advantage of the government's match-funding while it is available. This is an especially good time for donors who can see their donation more than doubled if they want to help us now." If you would like to help TCF reach their target by making a donation towards this exciting new local fund, or if you would like to join the TCF panel to help make this worthwhile project a success, please call Mike Moss on 01883 713322.