Charities and good causes across the North East can once again apply for a share of £10k, thanks to a leading housebuilder.

Miller Homes introduced its regional Community Fund in 2022 to help grassroots projects linked to education, wellbeing, the environment and sport across the region.

And applications for its second and final round of 2025 funding open on Wednesday 3 September – with groups, organisations and good causes urged to apply.

In the last round of funding, schools and community groups as far afield as County Durham and North Tyneside received grants of either £1k or £2k, enabling them to boost the services and facilities they offer to children and adults alike.

One successful applicant was based Wag and Company – which arranges for dog owners and their four-legged friends to befriend and regularly visit those living alone at home or in care, hospitals or hospices free of charge.

It is the only befriending charity in the North East to arrange for dogs and their owners to befriend elderly dog lovers, often bereaved or who are lonely or in failing health.

And the money it was awarded will help them recruit, match, assess, equip, insure and continuously support each volunteer Wag Team and their placements over a 12-month period.

“This very welcome grant will enable 126 visits over the 12 months to older people otherwise alone at home, desperately missing the friends they’ve lost; two legged and four legged,” said Wag and Company’s chief operating officer Charlotte Pearson.                                                                                                           

“Thank you so much to everyone at Miller Homes for making this happen in our community.”

Miller Homes is currently developing 10 sites across the North East, from Seaham in County Durham to Bedlington, with a further five in the pipeline.

And regional operations director, Ryan Lincoln said the Community Fund “has rapidly become a lifeline for smaller groups and organisation, some of which might  otherwise struggle to provide services to their communities.

“And communities are at the heart of everything we do at Miller Homes North East.”

Applications for funding close on Wednesday 15 October after which donations up to a maximum of £2000 will be awarded to the successful applicants.

To make an application to the Miller Homes Community Fund visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/corporate/community-fund.aspx