Cumbrian Charity COAT to Close
Over recent years, Acorn have been immensely proud to support the Cumbria Overseas Aid Trust (COAT) as our chosen charity, and it was terribly sad to hear that the charity has decided to close after nearly 40 years supporting communities in some of the poorest regions of the world.
Our support for this wonderful charity has included financial donations, office supplies and admin time, along with helping at fundraising events raising the profile of COAT.
Most grants from COAT were given for less than £1,000 and feedback from the many projects supported has consistently been that the impact of a donation has been huge, and often life changing, even from small amounts of money given.
Over the last 37 years, Cumbria Overseas Aid Trust has donated in the region of £310,000 to over 50 projects in many parts of the world – an amazing achievement of which they are rightly very proud.
During 2024, projects which have been supported by COAT include:
- £663 to build a water tower and toilets at the Umoja Centre, Arusha, Tanzania
- £500 for solar lights for communities in a remote mountain area of Peru
- £600 to provide computers for Kochogo Vocational Training Centre, Kenya
- £320 to Girl Guiding Cumbria to support Guides going on an educational visit to India
- £700 for transport costs of sending prothestic limbs for re-use by amputees in sub-Saharan Africa
- £450 for mobile phones for the coordination of literacy and savings projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In a communication piece from the charity announcing the closing of the charity, they say: “COAT has only been able to do this because of the support we have had from amazing people.”
“They have supported us by coming to, and helping at, our quizzes, ceilidhs, dinners, afternoon teas, and all sorts of other events; by being Trustees; by making and donating things for us to sell; by buying things at our sales; by being a 100 Club member and, often, generously donating back the prize money!”
“But the world around us has changed and poses new challenges. Like many organisations, we now find it very hard to replace Trustees who are stepping down. Also, our way of fundraising is tougher… without good income, our capacity to make grants will diminish.”
“After a lot of thought and discussion, COAT Trustees have decided that the only way forward is to celebrate what has been achieved and acknowledge that the time is right for COAT to come to a close. We believe it is better to take a decision now rather than allow our fundraising and our capacity to make grants just wither away. So, sadly, Cumbria Overseas Aid Trust will cease its activities in early 2025.”
COAT have always made grants to overseas projects and beneficiaries as soon as they had money available, and the intention is to continue this until the charity finally closes.
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Projects supported by COAT with funding and grants were considered against the following criteria:
- Projects which contribute in some way to the relief of poverty and which will have some long-term and sustainable benefits to a local community.
- Projects where it is possible to get some feedback following expenditure of the grant so this feedback could be used to educate and better inform both trustees and the local Cumbrian population where appropriate through talks etc.
- Projects where there is some local Cumbrian connection, either through individuals involved or the origins of the organisation.
- Projects where COAT’s contribution can be clearly identified in costed proposals and/or trustees can be confident as to the viability and integrity of the project.
- Projects should be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion.
- Funds for young people from Cumbria travelling abroad to work on a project which contributes to the relief of poverty, and which will have some long-term and sustainable benefits to a local community.
