Service charities
Avondale House receives a very special visitor
The veterans’ charity LAUNCHPAD exists to provide accommodation and employment, education, welfare and training support to Servicemen and women who are in transit from military to civilian life. The Trust awarded a grant of £20,000 over a three year period to help with the utility and maintenance costs for the communal areas of Avondale House in Byker. The grant will help the charity build up ‘a supportive community of friends and help veterans in trouble to stabilize their lives’. About 45% of the veterans who have been at Avondale House have found employment; a remarkable result given that most of the veterans came from a homeless background. The charity was awarded the “Working Together” Soldiering On Award in April 2016.
The death of Sir James Knott’s two sons Henry and Basil during World War One significantly influenced his decision to help service charities and in keeping with our founders wishes, the Trust has a long association with many charitable organisations supporting North East service personnel and their families. Blind Veterans UK, Sea Cadet Units, Army Cadet Forces and Reserve Forces Associations all received donations from the Sir James Knott Trust.
Formed in 1941, the 1932 Blackhall Squadron of Air Cadets aim to promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and develop qualities of leadership in their young cadets. The Trust awarded a grant of £500 in 2015 to help the Squadron purchase two computers and software so that the cadets can participate in computerised training and exams. ‘Since the receipt of this grant, the project has been completed and resulted in an increase in Cadet attainments in the form of BTEC qualifications, Corps Examinations and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.’
The Trust also commissioned and published a report on housing provision for ex-service personnel and their families in the North East. A copy of the Report may be obtained by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
