A COMMUNITY centre in Bishop Auckland is celebrating successful partnerships with local businesses as it continues to enjoy the fruits of its golden anniversary year.

Auckland Youth and Community Centre (AYCC) celebrated 50 years with a family fun day at its premises in the heart of Bishop Auckland’s Woodhouse Close Estate last month.

The event also helped AYCC to demonstrate the importance of its work with businesses with roots in the local community, including the Santander Foundation and the Co-operative Community Fund.

The Santander Foundation’s recent grant of £4,150 has helped AYCC to run a popular after school Club for local four to 11-year-olds.

Their new donation of £425, to match funds raised at the fun day, will be added to the Co-operative Community Fund’s £600 award. These funds will help the centre to deliver a wide range of activities every week day, and weekends on request.

With voluntary sector funding becoming increasingly hard to find, supporters are drawing on all of their strengths to find new and innovative ways to plan for the future.

Lynn Brennen, of Santander’s Bishop Auckland branch, said: “The Santander Foundation makes hundreds of donations every year to good causes throughout the UK.

“Our branch is committed to playing a key part in the community it serves and we are delighted to be supporting Auckland Youth and Community Centre, and hope the donations make a real difference to the local people.”

Bill Niblo, chairman of AYCC’s board of trustees, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Santander Foundation, the Co-operative Community Fund and many other supporters for their generous donations.

“These are difficult times for voluntary sector organisations but we are determined to continue to develop and deliver quality services on Woodhouse Close Estate.”