Last call for charity of the year nominations

Charities across the county are running out of time to apply to become The Mall Blackburn’s Charity of the Year 2017.
 
Management are on the look out for an enthusiastic and proactive local charity to support as part of its popular Mall Cares programme and the deadline for entries is midnight on Monday 27th February.
 
The last call comes as the shopping centre finalises figures raised from its successful partnership with 2016’s named charity, Lancashire Mind.
 
A charity shop provided free of charge by The Mall, bucket collections, sports events and arts and crafts aplenty helped Lancashire’s leading mental health charity raise a staggering £7,923.55 over the course of 2016.
 
Funds raised will go towards helping people across the county who are experiencing a mental health condition as well as campaigning for a ‘Happier Lancashire’.
 
Mental wellbeing in Lancashire is lower than the national average with Blackburn and Darwen having the lowest levels in the county.
 
As part of its services, Lancashire Mind run one-to-one sessions with trained wellbeing coaches, that cost £29 per session.
 
On average Lancashire Mind’s wellbeing coaches do six of the one-to-one sessions with each person, therefore £1,000 could provide 40 sessions.
 
Fabienne Clough, Fundraising Coordinator at Lancashire Mind, said: “The support we have received from The Mall Blackburn in 2016 has been invaluable.
 
“As we have raised nearly £8,000, up to 300 people can benefit from a one-to-one session with our experts, which is absolutely fantastic!
 
“I would urge anyone working for a charity who is tempted to apply for The Mall Blackburn’s Charity of the Year to just go for it – you never know what it might lead to.
 
“I would like to thank everyone at The Mall for all their hard work and support.”
 
Loraine Jones, General Manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “Time is running out for charities across the county to apply for our Charity of the Year 2017.
 
“We thoroughly enjoy working with charities and always totally immerse ourselves in what they are working to achieve.
 
“It is always humbling to hear the stories they have to tell and exciting to get involved with all kinds of activities.
 
“We have had an amazing response this year and we are facing a very difficult decision of choosing one to support throughout 2017.”
 
Local organisations can apply by visiting http://www.themall.co.uk/blackburn/whats-on/2017/charity-starts-at-the-mall-blackburn/ or by requesting a copy of the application form from [email protected]
 
The closing date for all applications is midnight on Monday 27th February with the partnership starting in March 2017.
 
People can find out more about Lancashire Mind at www.lancashiremind.org.uk