THE National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, hosted a reception in honour of the Sir Tom Cowie Fund.

Sir Tom Cowie set up his fund at the Community Foundation (then the Tyne and Wear Foundation), in 1993, with a gift of shares now worth more than £1m.

The annual interest is used to make grants to charitable and voluntary groups in Sunderland. The fund has helped 150 projects and individuals.

John Squires, vice-president of the Community Foundation, made a short speech highlighting the achievements of the fund.