Left on horseback is J A Innes who set up the Innes Memorial Fund. Right is James Innes who has secured the continued good work of his grandfather’s Fund by overseeing its transfer to Sussex Community Foundation.

Sussex Community Foundation was approached in 2014 by James Innes, Chair of the Innes Memorial Fund, to see if it would be possible to take over management of the charitable trust.  James had seen the guidance on the Charity Commission website, advising that trustees contact their local community foundation to discuss options available. The trust was originally set up by James’ grandfather to benefit charities and individuals in the Horsham District area. However, the current trustees were finding it increasingly difficult to manage the trust and find suitable beneficiaries.

Agreement was obtained from the Charity Commission for the trust to close and, with the transferred assets, Sussex Community Foundation has now established the Innes Fund. This will continue to benefit charitable causes in the Horsham and West Sussex area. As an extra bonus, some match funding from the Government’s Community First programme (now closed) was also obtained, increasing the eventual value of the fund by over 25%.

“We are very pleased that the Foundation is able to perpetuate the work of the Innes Memorial Fund and that my grandfather’s legacy will continue to benefit needy people in the Horsham area,” says James Innes.