Rural Charity benefits from Alan Ward’s support

Furniture retailer Alan Ward is celebrating its first year supporting The Rural Charity and has signed up to back the Shropshire-based charity again in 2019.

The partnership has seen Alan Ward donating furniture, which is then sold at the charity’s shops in Oswestry, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury and Wem. Proceeds from the shops go to supporting the agricultural and rural community with the aim of making a difference to people’s lives across Shropshire.

To date, the charity has supported numerous community initiatives and backed schemes such as the National Young Farmer’s organisation and the Shropshire Rural Communities Charity.

One of the most recent projects supported by the charity is The Rural Schools Write, Read and Inspire Project, aimed at enhancing literacy skills and creativity in some of Shropshire’s smallest, most rural schools. The project has been developed by county author Lorna McCann who runs creative workshops at the schools, which are linked to books and storytelling.

Carl Johnson, managing director of Alan Ward, said:

“As a family-owned business, with its roots in Shropshire, we have always had a strong commitment to supporting the community around us. Over the last year we have seen The Rural Charity getting behind some amazing causes across the county and we are proud to continue our support of this fantastic charity throughout 2019.”

Ian Bebbington, The Rural Charity and Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society director, said:

“We’re really grateful that a company of Alan Ward’s reputation and standing is continuing its support of The Rural Charity. The money we raise allows us to support a wide variety of people and organisations, such as the Write, Read and Inspire project, which has proved to be a big hit with children, teachers and parents across Shropshire. In the past, we’ve also given grants and donations to the likes of Cure Leukemia, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Breast Cancer Care Charity, Royal British Legion, Wem Jubilee Band, The Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre, The Friends of Wem Cemetery and many many more.”