Ken Townley's generous gift to 12 North West charities

A millionaire philanthropist has handed out early Christmas presents to a raft of charities through his Blackpool foundation.
Debbie Bamber hands over the money to Claire Bradley, project manager, and Latoya Sykes from Aiming HigherDebbie Bamber hands over the money to Claire Bradley, project manager, and Latoya Sykes from Aiming Higher
Debbie Bamber hands over the money to Claire Bradley, project manager, and Latoya Sykes from Aiming Higher

A total of 12 North West charities will be receiving an early Christmas gift this week when a cheque drops through their door from the Kentown Wizard Foundation.

It was set up in 2015 by Ken Townley who once worked at Blackpool airport, but later started Gold Medal Travel which he built up and eventually sold for £87m.

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He has donated around £100m to the foundation, which pays for two nurses wages at Brian House and earlier this year funded a refurbishment of Donna’s Dreamhouse.

The chosen charities this time all provide services and activities for children with life limiting conditions or additional needs.

Individual grants range from £1,500 to £6,000 and add up to more than £40,000 in total. They will allow the charities to continue to support thousands more families in the region.

To date, the foundation has authorised grants totalling more than £3.6m to other UK registered charities whose objectives and aims are aligned with theirs.

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Debbie Bamber, operations manager, of the Kentown Wizard Foundation said: “It has been a privilege for me to visit all 12 recipients and see the dedication and hard work of these smaller charities. They help thousands of children a year and are a life-line to so many families.”

The charities are Sign Hi Say- Hi, Blackpool Tiggers, Blessing In Disguise, Donna’s Dream House, A Day of Sunshine, Play Inclusion Project, OJ’s Sensory Care, Aiming Higher, Wipe Your Tears, Unique Kidz and Co, North West Children’s Support Group and Kidz2gether.