MEA House was the first purpose-built office accommodation building designed specifically for a collection of charities. Image: Andrew Curtis, Geograph, (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Rothley Trust

Small grant support for the young people, the disabled and community groups
Founded: 1959

Charity Details

Full Name: The Rothley Trust
Founded: 1959
Type: Independent
Where Operates: North East England
Headquarters: Newcastle, NE1 8XS
Charity No: 219849

History and Activities

The Rothley Trust was formed in 1959 by a Tyneside businessman Mungo Campbell, who had considerable success in the shipping industry. The trust was originally created to fund his grandchildren’s education but was subsequently expanded to benefit various charitable causes across the North East. It supports a variety of causes but is focused on three main areas of need. First, it supports the needs of young people and children in disadvantaged areas. Second, it helps people with disabilities. Third, it supports community development projects.

In 2016/17, the trust made 226 grants totalling £264,890, with 27.0% going to children and young people, 27.0% to community groups, 18.4% to the disabled, 12.1% to medical causes 7.6% to education. The largest beneficiary was St Oswald’s Hospice, which received £14,000. The Unicorn Centre, which provides riding therapy, learning and training opportunities for over 200 disabled people from the Tees Valley area each week, received £5,000.

Besides Rothley, Mungo Campbell established the MEA Trust and helped to fund the building of MEA House in Newcastle city centre. Opened in 1974 by HM Queen Elizabeth II, MEA House, now a grade II listed building, was the first purpose-built office building specifically created to accommodate charities. The Rothley Trust and MEA Trust have separate trust boards but have operated from the same offices since 1974.

Vital Statistics (year to 31/03/2017)

Total Income:	£237,695
Voluntary Income:	£0
Investment Income:	£226,584
Employees:	1
Total Expenditure (TE):	£344,774
Grants to Beneficiaries (GR):	£264,890
GR as % of TE:	76.8%
Investments at Year End:	£8,105,048

Website
http://www.rothleytrust.org.uk/

References

Charity Commission. (2017). The Rothley Trust - Report and Financial Statements, Available here (Accessed: 02/08/2018).

MEA House. (2018). MEA House - About Us, Available here (Accessed: 02/08/2018).

RDA Unicorn Centre. (2018). RDA Unicorn Centre - Home, Available here (Accessed: 02/08/2018).

The Rothley Trust. (2018). The Rothley Trust - History, Available here (Accessed: 02/08/2018).