THE NEW year has brought some excellent news for thirteen good causes across the County.

The Hereford based E F Bulmer Benevolent Fund, has donated over £116,000 to help community groups dealing with hardship, distress, and sickness.

Amongst the successful applicants, Hereford Community Farm received £5,100 for its new Connecting with Nature Project. The grant means they can extend their support for children with specific learning, mental health and other unmet needs including those excluded from school.

Julie Milsom from Hereford Community Farm said: "We have long wanted to extend our provision to support young people and this will enable us to reach in particular, the young people who are struggling or are often left to 'fall through the gaps' without the support that they need".

Other beneficiaries included, The Cart Shed, Ross based Basement Youth Trust, Breast Cancer Haven, CLD Trust, Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled, Herefordshire Venture, Home-Start Herefordshire, Hereford and District Parkinson's UK, Hope Family Centre Bromyard, Defence Medical Welfare Services for Hereford war veterans First Light Trust in Broad Street Hereford and Look UK caring for local visually impaired people

The EF Bulmer Fund was established in 1938 by Fred Bulmer. Fred was very socially conscious and appalled at the general poverty that existed.

The charity supports local good causes in Herefordshire.

The Trustees today are all descendants of the founder and remain committed to continuing the family's philanthropic ethos that has made the fund one of the most respected charitable institutions in the county.