County Durham Community Foundation 
On Monday 29th June CDCF held a Dedication Service at Durham Cathedral to celebrate 20 years of charitage giving in County Durham & Darlington.
The event was a huge success with over 500 in attendance which included donors, grant recipents, previous and existing staff and fund holders.
The event included a parade of grant recipients who have received funding from the Foundation. This included:
- New Brancepeth Revellers Marching Band
- Bearpark Judo Club
- North Durham Knights American Football Club
- 1st Newfield Scout Group
- Willington Cricket Club
- Sherburn Colliery Banner Group
- 3rd Crook Brownies & Girl Guides
- Patch Chat & Sew
- Brandon Boxing Club
- Step this Way Appalachian Cloggers and The Bones Creek Band
- Thrislington Banner Group
The event also included a welcome from the Dean of Durham, Michael Sadgrove, a Dedication from Bishop Paul Butler and a reading from Mrs Sue Snowdon Lord-Lieutenant.
Ashley Stirling also performed at our event singing ”All Things Bright & Beautiful”. Ashley received funding from the Community Foundation, from this she was able to attend private singing lessons at ‘The Royal Academy of Music’ which lead to her winning a place at the prestigious ‘Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.’ After passing her degree, she has been in many concerts and shows, from playing Marilyn Monroe in the musical ‘Billy Liar’ to playing a geordie trumpeter in ‘The Blonde Bombshells of 1943.’
There was also a performance from Brandon Lee Holloway, a grant recipient. Our funding covered dance lessons, transport and entry fees, allowing Brandon to progress his ambition, and in January 2013, Brandon competed in a three day event at Blackpool Winter Gardens. Brandon has been competing in British and World Championships over the last three years now, including other UDO competitions.
We have saved some videos and photos of the event which can be viewed below:
This event would not have been possible without the support from Ward Hadaway Law Firm, Banks Group and UBS Wealth Management and Cestria Community Housing Assocation.
