Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) has announced a last call for sight loss
organisations to apply to its emergency fund.


The fund was launched at the end of March to support sight loss charities
which are providing vital services to blind and partially sighted people
during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Organisations which wish to apply have until 5pm Friday 17 April to
submit their applications.


Charles Colquhoun, CEO at Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: “In just a
fortnight TPT has seen a huge interest in these grants.


“We set aside £500,000 for this emergency fund to allow sight loss sector
organisations to continue providing critical services for the physical and
emotional wellbeing of blind and partially sighted people.


“From Lochaber to Dorset, we have received applications from right
across the country. They also range thematically from local societies and
organisations campaigning for eye health to those which provide sports
for bind and partially sighted people.


“I would urge organisations that need support, and which have not yet
applied to us, to do so by next Friday.”


More than 60 organisations have applied to date and more than half have
been approved, subject to final due diligence. This equates to well over
£300,000 worth of grants already awarded by TPT with the average grant
just under £10,000. TPT is also in discussion with many applicants to
seek further clarification on their bids.


The grants, available to sight loss charities, are up to £10,000 or the
equivalent of two months’ running costs (whichever is less) for use over
the next six months.

TPT suspended its normal grant funding activities, postponed the launch
of its revised grant programme and is using funds previously allocated to
its normal grant programme to provide this essential support to partners in
the sight loss sector.


Charles added: “The monies can be used either to cover the general
running costs of the charity in the face of cashflow issues directly caused
by the crisis, or to fund a project that will support the blind and partially
sighted community through these difficult times.”


Organisations wishing to submit an application should visit TPT’s
Emergency Fund web page.