Birmingham employees nominate three charities to receive substantial grants

Three charities have been chosen by regional employees at Mondelēz International to each receive a grant of £5,000.

B30 Foodbank, The Giles Trust and The Lily Foundation have all received the large sum from The Cadbury Foundation, as part of its ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ initiative.

Each year, Mondelēz International employees are invited to nominate wellbeing-related charities or projects close to their hearts to receive a grant, with the final shortlisted charities voted for by the wider workforce. This year, 11 organisations from across the UK were chosen to receive a generous grant, including 2 Birmingham-based charities.

Based in South Birmingham, B30 Foodbank provides a lifeline for many residents in the local community. Established in 2013 by the B30 Churches Together Network, the foodbank is open to the community two afternoons a week, providing three days worth of crisis food to those in need. Samantha Latty from Mondelēz International’s Bournville Manufacturing Site nominated B30 Foodbank to receive the £5,000 donation, which will enable the charity to continue distributing food and daily essential items to families in need.

The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund was established in 2015 by former England cricketer Ashley Giles MBE, following his wife’s diagnosis and battle with multiple brain tumours. Since its launch, the charity has raised over £1 million and exists to raise money to fund vital life-saving research into brain tumours at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The Cadbury Foundation’s donation will enable The Giles Trust to continue to fund vital brain tumour research and pioneering equipment. The grant will also support the maintenance of free accomodation near the hospital for families, which serves as a welcoming and calm place for patients and their families to stay during diagnosis and treatment.

The Lily Foundation also received a donation, thanks to Bournville-based employee Joe Burnham’s nomination. Established in 2007 by Liz Curtis after the loss of her baby daughter, Lily, to mito at just eight months old, The Lily Foundation improves the lives of people affected by mitochondrial diseases, while working towards a future where mitochondrial diseases can be effectively treated or cured.

Anne Cole, manager of B30 Foodbank, commented: “Our goal is to continue helping families in need across our community, but we can’t do this without ongoing generous support and donations. Due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, donations from the public have decreased, so support from local businesses, large and small, is hugely important to us. We’re truly delighted to have received this substantial sum from The Cadbury Foundation, which will enable us to support many people in need across the local community.”

The Cadbury Foundation was set up in 1935 in recognition of Richard and George Cadbury and their investment in the welfare of their employees and the local community, and to continue their work. Across all Mondelēz International UK sites, £77,000 has been pledged for this year’s ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ initiative.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, said: “Supporting fantastic charities and projects which make a real difference to the lives of local communities is exactly what The Cadbury Foundation is all about. So, we’re delighted to know that thanks to the Foundation’s help, B30 Foodbank, The Giles Trust and The Lily Foundation will be able to continue supporting locals in need.”

For more information on The Cadbury Foundation, please visit www.cadbury.co.uk/about/impact/cadbury-foundation/.