DURHAM University and County Durham Community Foundation are joining forces to support 13 good causes in the first year of a supported giving scheme.

The Durham University Community Fund (DUCF) was launched in October 2017 to provide grants to charities and non-profit organisations that university staff and students already support through volunteering.

In the first year of the project, funds given by university staff, either through payroll giving or through fundraising events, will be matched by the university up to a maximum of £10,000 and by County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF), which manages the fund, up to a maximum of £8,000.Each cause will receive an equal share of the total for 2018, to be announced in October.

The causes that will benefit in the first year of the fund, as, decided by a vote of university staff, are

l Children and Young People category: 234 (City of Durham Squadron) Air Training Corps, Carers Trust Tyne and Wear, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity;

l Animal Welfare: Ark on the Edge, Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter, Stray Aid.

Health and Ageing: Bloodwise, Northumbria Blood Bikes, The Loop;

l Social: Durham Foodbank, A Way Out Charity, SHAID, Veterans at Ease.

Professor Stuart Corbridge, vice-chancellor of Durham University, said: “University staff and students make a fantastic contribution to a wide range of causes and charities, dedicating about 25,000 hours every year. We set up the university fund to help our staff make an even bigger difference.

“We are very pleased to be match-funding staff donations up to a £10,000 in the first year of the fund, and are grateful to the County Durham foundation for managing the Durham University Community Fund and match-funding donations up to a maximum of £8,000.

Kevin Howe, chief executive of SHAID, said: “It’s great to hear that the university has recognised and voted for SHAID.”

Kelly Smith, Durham food bank manager, said: “This means a lot to us.”