£5,000 boost for true Knaresborough ‘heroes’ who do so much good work for their community
Knaresborough Lions say they are utterly “delighted” to have won a £5k Local Legends award from Virgin to carry on their amazing work in the community.
A £1,000,000 fund managed by Virgin Unite, since it was launched in 2023 Local Legends has so far distributed the best part of three quarters of a million pounds across four rounds of funding to a total of 123 charities.
Nominated by Virgin employees who volunteer for local charities, this festive season, Virgin Unite has awarded £5,000 grants to 34 charities.
Among them is Knaresborough Lions who received a grant for their Knaresborough Connectors.
Kevin Lloyd, Senior Business Solution Architect at Virgin Media 02, and a volunteer for Knaresborough Lions, said: “Knaresborough Connectors exist to bring local organisations and people together with a particular focus on tackling loneliness.
"Friendship and Leisure provide a safe space and drop-in centre where people aged over 55 can socialise and rest their feet when out shopping in town.
"But they do a lot more than that, especially at this time of year where they are the hub for providing Christmas gifts to everyone in town aged over 75 and living alone.
“We are delighted to have secured support from Virgin Unite.
"We will put the funds towards further projects in 2026 and build on our previous successes to open up opportunities to a wider group."
Founded in 1987, Knaresborough Lions is a voluntary group which raise funds for local good causes by organising community events such as the Great Knaresborough Bed Race and the Knaresborough Lions Beer Festival.
Holly Branson, Chair of Virgin Unite and Chief Vision Officer at Virgin, said: “It makes me so proud to see how time and again, so many Virgin employees step up to support their communities by volunteering with local charities that tackle difficult and heart-breaking issues.
"We passionately believe these people are true legends and should be celebrated.
"This is why we set up Local Legends with Virgin Unite, as a UK project to support local charities and recognise Virgin family members who give up their time to make a difference.”