The donation will be matched by County Durham Community Foundation and will be committed to fighting poverty and enriching lives in County Durham all year round.

Poverty is a harsh reality for more and more families and individuals in County Durham. The impact of poverty is felt across all aspects of life – limiting the hopes, opportunities, and potential of thousands across the county.

The County Durham Community Foundation Poverty Hurts Appeal brings businesses and communities together to alleviate poverty across the country. In the last year alone, the Poverty Hurts Appeal has helped an estimated 34,650 children and adults facing hardship by awarding £618,594 in grants to small but vital charities at the heart of helping local communities.

The donation follows another successful year for the Lumiere Festival, installations for which were hosted at The Riverwalk. The festival brings art and culture to all and the pledged support for Poverty Hurts will see Lumiere’s legacy continue to enrich lives throughout the year.  

Toby Saul, Associate Director at Clearbell Capital LLP said:

“At the heart of Clearbell’s mission is an ambition to better engage with communities in the locations we operate in, and ultimately drive long-lasting social value for them.  The work that Poverty Hurts do is vital in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the community around The Riverwalk, and so we’re very proud to be able to support them in their cause, and to  be part of Lumiere, an event that continues to go from strength to strength and increase footfall for our occupiers”.