NFU Mutual cheque lifts Cornwall charity’s 80th appeal past £9,000

Eighty years after it was founded, a Cornish organisation that describes much of its own work as “unseen” has just had a very visible boost.

Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) has received £7,899 from NFU Mutual Central Cornwall, a donation that has helped push its 80th anniversary fundraising campaign past £9,000.

Where the money has come from

The donation is part of NFU Mutual’s national £2.33 million Agency Giving Fund, which supports frontline charities. It was presented by Paul Shirley, Partner at Central Cornwall NFU Mutual, to Katherine Nissen, Chief Executive of CRCC.

Hannah Myatt, Agent and Partner at Central Cornwall NFU Mutual, said: “We’re extremely proud to have nominated Cornwall Rural Community Charity for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community. The purpose of NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund is to support local frontline charities who are providing essential services to people in our community.”

80 miles from Looe to Cadgwith

The cheque arrives on the back of a long walk. Members of CRCC’s rural and coastal team recently completed the 80 Miles for 80 Years challenge, covering 80 miles of the South West Coast Path from Looe to Cadgwith to mark eight decades of community support.

That challenge raised more than £1,000. Together with support from organisations including NFU Mutual, it has taken the overall anniversary campaign total to more than £9,000.

CRCC says the funds will help it continue supporting young people, residents facing isolation or disadvantage, and rural and coastal communities across Cornwall.

“Often unseen but deeply felt”

Katherine Nissen said: “We are incredibly grateful to NFU Mutual Central Cornwall for this generous support. As we mark our 80th anniversary, this donation will help us continue strengthening communities and supporting people to thrive across Cornwall. From helping young people with additional needs progress towards independence and employment, to supporting residents and rural and coastal communities, our work is often unseen but deeply felt.”

Katherine added: “Communities are facing increasing challenges and support like this helps us reach more people and ensure that those who need us most can access the advice, opportunities and support they deserve. Combined with the fantastic support our team received for the 80 Miles for 80 Years challenge, this donation has helped our anniversary fundraising campaign raise more than £9,000. It is a wonderful boost as we celebrate 80 years of supporting Cornwall’s communities while looking ahead to the future.”

What CRCC does

Founded in 1946, CRCC is one of the longer-standing charities in Cornwall. Its work covers education and training, environmental programmes, community development, rural and coastal support and wellbeing services, and it has offices in Penzance, Newlyn, Truro and Looe.

It employs more than 100 staff, most of them in frontline roles, and works with hundreds of community groups and organisations across Cornwall and beyond.

CRCC says that last year alone it:

• helped more than 5,600 residents access support
• saw more than 95% of young people on its education programmes progress into employment or further education
• delivered more than £4 million in funding into communities
• secured almost £1 million for Cornwall’s fishing communities

Its programmes include Clean Cornwall, Learn Your Way and Work Your Way, the Rural Housing Enabler and Fishing Animateur programmes, and Community Gateway, which offers guidance and signposting for residents dealing with isolation, health or cost-of-living challenges.

The charity is also playing a leading role in shaping the future of Heartlands, the mining heritage site in Pool near Redruth, working with the National Trust and local stakeholders to reopen it with what it calls a community-first approach.

A gala dinner still to come

The anniversary fundraising is not finished. More activities are planned through the rest of CRCC’s 80th year, including a gala dinner this November.

Details of the anniversary celebrations, the fundraising campaign and gala tickets are on the CRCC website.

📷Paul Shirley of Central Cornwall NFU Mutual presents a cheque for £7,899 to Katherine Nissen, Chief Executive of Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC), in support of the charity's 80th anniversary fundraising campaign.