February 24, 2021

First Stop Darlington Awarded £3,000 By The Harrison Foundation To Support Local People

24th February 2021

A charity in Darlington has received a £3,000 donation from the Harrison Foundation to help more people get online and improve their digital skills.

First Stop plans to use this funding to support a community partnership initiative to bring Digital Inclusion to those whose lives are being detrimentally impacted during the pandemic. The aim is to provide connection to the internet as a means to improve local people’s financial position and potential work opportunities, as well as to assist with travel to new jobs.

First Stop was brought to the attention of the Harrison Foundation by Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, who met with Tracy Freeman, CEO of First Stop Darlington during 2020 and was inspired by the work First Stop has undertaken throughout the pandemic.

Peter recognised the tremendous work Tracy and her team are doing across Darlington and approached the Harrison Foundation to establish if there were ways in which support could be provided to First Stop Darlington.

Harrison Foundation Trustee, Daniel Harrison, said: “The Harrison Foundation has always looked to support community charities that are making a much-needed practical difference on the ground. Their work has never been a more vital lifeline than over the last 12 months. That’s exactly the type of support that Tracy and the team at First Stop provides in Darlington and I’m really pleased that we can help.

“My thanks to Peter Gibson MP for bringing First Stop to our attention so that we can make this donation that help to close the digital divide by enabling more people to get online.”

Tracy Freeman, CEO of First Stop Darlington said: “It is great to be supported by the Harrison Foundation, they understand the local needs and want to be part of the solution. We thank the Foundation’s trustees as well as Peter Gibson MP for putting himself forward and searching for funding to assist our work. We appreciate their support at this very difficult time in the funding world.”

Peter Gibson, Member of Parliament for Darlington, added: “I pledged to put the community of Darlington at the foremost of my priorities and will continue to do so. The work that Tracy and her team at First Stop are doing is fantastic and I will continue to lend my support to the charity where possible. I’m grateful to Daniel and the Harrison Foundation trustees for stepping up to help.”

This latest donation follows over £350,000 of support that was provided to charities and social mobility organisations across the UK in 2020 by the Harrison Foundation and its partners.