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Ridley Family Charity
Supporting good causes in Newcastle and Northumberland
Founded: 2013
Charity Details
Full Name: The Ridley Family Charity
Founded: 2013
Type: Independent
Where Operates: Northumberland
Headquarters: Newcastle, NE13 6DE
Charity No: 1150706
History and Activities
The Ridley family has long been one of the most important families in the North East. Originally a merchant family descended from business partners Matthew White (d. 1716) and Nicholas Ridley (d.1712), the dynasty established by Sir Matthew White Ridley (1745-1813) has been involved in the political and social life of the region for more than three centuries. The career of Sir Matthew White Ridley (1745-1813), second Baronet, popularly known as “Canny Sir Matthew” is illustrative. He became MP for Morpeth in 1768, mayor of Newcastle in 1774, and MP for Newcastle in 1775, holding the seat for 38 years. He was preceded in this position by his father, Matthew (1711-1778), and succeeded by his son, Matthew Ridley (1779-1836). Today, the family estate at Blagdon is home to the author, parliamentarian and philanthropist, Viscount Matt Ridley (b.1958), and his wife, Newcastle University professor of visual neuroscience, Anya Hurlbert.
In 2013, The Ridley Family Charity was established to award grants for voluntary and community projects situated in south east Northumberland. Grants have been awarded to a variety of causes, including conservation, children and young adults, performing arts, community groups, healthcare, education and the elderly. Grants totalling £75,397 were made to 23 organizations in 2016 in the range of £1,000 to £5,000, many to charities nearby the family’s home in south east Northumberland. The Blagdon Estate hosts a number of charity events throughout the year, like that for the conservation charity, Plant Heritage, in 2018. The charity’s accounts show that its principal sources of funding are family donations and rents from endowed property valued at £600,000.
Vital Statistics (year to 05/04/2017)
| Total Income:
| £109,047
|
| Voluntary Income:
| £51,025
|
| Investment Income:
| £58,022
|
| Employees:
| 0
|
| Total Expenditure (TE):
| £84,567
|
| Grants to Beneficiaries (GR):
| £75,397
|
| GR as % of TE:
| 89.1%
|
| Endowment at Year End:
| £600,000
|
Website
http://www.blagdonestate.co.uk/about-blagdon/ridley-family-charity
References
Blagdon Estates. (2018). The Ridley Family Charity, Available here (Accessed: 11/09/2018).
Charity Commission. (2018). The Ridley Family Charity Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2017, Available here (Accessed: 10/09/2018).
Ellis, J.M. (2004) Ridley, Sir Matthew White, Second Baronet. Available here (Accessed: 18/07/2018).
Wikipedia. (2018). United States Constitution, Available here (Accessed: 12/09/2018).