A CHARITABLE group which is sharing its 100th anniversary with the First World War is celebrating its 20th birthday in the North-East.

The Community Foundation began a century ago in America and the concept has spread across the world.

There are 48 foundations now across the UK and the County Durham Community Foundation marks its 20th anniversary next year.

The groups provide funds for bodies and individuals to help them to cover costs.

At its annual general meeting today (Friday, November 7) it marked both the centenary of the First World War and the start of the foundations.

Barbara Gubbins, chief executive of the County Durham branch, said: “We are a charitable group who look after local groups and people.

“We have a pot of money which hopefully grows each year and we pay out a percentage to projects.

“We’ve supported several World War One projects and we felt that with so many lives lost in County Durham that we should mark it and pay tribute at the meeting.”

The world’s first community foundation was set up in Cleveland, Ohio, in America, in 1914 by lawyer Frederick Goff.

The idea spread and the UK’s first group was in Swindon and there are 48 community foundations across the UK now and 1,800 worldwide.

The Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon, was one of several people who gave readings at the meeting.

She said: “I think that the foundation’s work is first class. It allows so many smaller groups to access funding and support.

“I personally feel that there isn’t a family in the UK that does not have a link to World War One. This was such a simple commemoration so that we don’t forget the sacrifice made during the war.”