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Rebecca Hendy

Chairperson, Hendy Foundation

Chairperson, Hendy Foundation

Rebecca chairs Hendy Foundation, dedicated to supporting local projects, people and charities across the South Coast. Set up in 2018, Hendy Foundation has granted more than £350,000 to over 250 organisations, from Devon to Kent.


After studying marketing at university, Rebecca began her career working for an advertising and marketing agency dealing with automotive clients. In 1996, she set up Hendy Group’s marketing department. Rebecca then started her own PR and marketing consultancy before setting up Hendy Foundation with current Commercial Director and fellow trustee Mark Busby. ‘He is the brainchild behind Hendy Foundation,’ says Rebecca.

Before the formation of the foundation, Hendy Group donated to charity in ‘an ad hoc way,’ says Rebecca. ‘Hendy has always had a charitable heart. F A Hendy [the group’s founder] was a very charitable man. He gave a lot to local charities and supported local hospitals. But until the creation of Hendy Foundation, there was no set structure for charitable donations. The purpose of creating Hendy Foundation was to provide a professional, structured and independent way of donating.’

Grant request applications are submitted on-line and are assessed three times a year by the seven trustees, all volunteers. Due diligence is undertaken. Following a shortlist process, grants are awarded to the successful charities.

 

‘It must be for a local cause and the beneficiaries must be local,’ says Rebecca. They do not support national or international causes. Grants can also go to worthy individuals. Rebecca cites a disabled local cyclist training for the 2024 Paralympics.


Other donations have included local hospital transport, food banks, bikes for disabled children, day trips for the elderly, help for the partially sighted, therapy for MS sufferers, youth counselling and alleviating child poverty – to name but a few. ‘One of the biggest benefits of Hendy Foundation is that we support a huge array of causes,’ notes Rebecca.

 

‘When you read through the applications, many touch your heart. We ask them to keep us informed for 12 months after receiving the award. It’s fantastic to hear how the donation has helped and to know we can make a difference.’

Hendy Foundation also organises fundraising events and Hendy colleagues will also participate in exceptional events to raise money for the foundation.

'One of the biggest benefits of Hendy Foundation is that we support a huge array of causes.’