The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has awarded 23 grants to businesses in Leicestershire and Rutland totalling £103,000 – the largest amount ever awarded by the Charity!
With 2024 being the 60th year of STWLC being registered with the Charity Commission, and following the record-breaking loan approval figures in 2023, we celebrated by doubling our grants budget to £100,000, giving more businesses than ever before the chance to benefit.
Whereas our interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all, offering a much-needed boost during a challenging economic time for small businesses.
A total of 125 applications were received by STWLC, with the grants awarded ranging from £1,000 to the maximum amount of £5,000 to support businesses from a wide range of industries, including: photography, baking, injury rehabilitation, construction, art, early years childcare/education, and IT services.
“We are a young company, so to have a head start on some of our marketing efforts is fantastic. I’m excited to see the impact this will have.” – Jake Saunders, Saunders Networks Ltd.
Ammo Khan, Chair of STWLC’s Grant Committee, said: “This was a special year for the Charity’s grants scheme, with our funding pot doubled to provide more grants than ever before to local businesses. I’m delighted that the opportunity has been grasped with both hands, and I’m sure the total amount of £103,000 spread across 23 recipients will make a huge difference to many small business owners across the county.”
Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, added: “Last year we approved our highest amount of interest-free loans since 2008, so we’re absolutely thrilled to continue that good news with our highest-ever grants approval figure this year. Starting and running a small business is a hugely rewarding endeavour, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. We hope that these grants can provide a much-needed boost to all 23 recipients, and we look forward to following their progress and future success.
Jake Saunders, Managing Director of Saunders Networks Ltd and a recipient of the grant, said: “I’m extremely grateful to receive this grant for our business. We are a young company, so to have a head start on some of our marketing efforts is fantastic. I’m excited to see the impact this will have on building our customer base and better serving our existing customers too. Thank you so much for awarding this to us, we are so grateful!”
Ellysia Blair, The Rehab Coach, said: “This grant means that I am able to support so many more local sportspeople, clubs and teams in Leicestershire with their sports rehab and injury prevention. I am so excited to be able to get a professional to help me with designing a proper website and have more of a social media presence, allowing my business to reach further afield and spread awareness about how I can help people with their return to sport. I cannot thank STWLC enough!”
Christian Thompson, a Photographer, added: “I’m tremendously excited to receive this grant, which will allow me to meet new potential clients which will provide the opportunity of gaining wedding photography bookings at prestigious venues. This grant will help me to take my business in the direction that I want to head. Thank you to The Sir Thomas White loan Charity!”
Applications for STWLC’s business grants are now closed, however applications are still being welcomed for our interest-free business loans, which are available up to the value of £20,000.