Teddington Nub News aims to be supportive to every element of the community from business and shops to people and charities and clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and is desperate to get back to normal.

We are profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a feature called UP CLOSE IN TEDDINGTON in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for their full return to business as usual.

This week we spoke to David White the director the Hampton Fund.

He is also involved with fellow charity One Richmond.

We spoke about the background of the charities, the causes they fight for and coping through the pandemic.

About the Hampton Fund

David explained the history of the Fund and what is does.

He said: "We are a grant making charity that has been going for 200 years.

"We sold off land to Sainsbury in the late 1980s and this has played a huge part in funding us ever-since.

"We support local charities as well as those on low incomes.

"Our main way of helping them is by paying their gas and electric."

The Hampton Fund also gives grants to organisations like Citizens Advice - to the tune of around £70,000.

Name Change

While they may have been around for 200 years the name Hampton Fund is relatively new.

That's because until recently the organisation was known as the Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity.

However this name was a bit confusing as they had nothing to do with actual allotments - but rather allotting money.

So the decision was taken to rename the important charity the much simpler Hampton Fund, which is based on Hampton High Street.

The charity operates exclusively north of the River Thames while the Richmond Parish Lands Charity (RPLC) provides a similar function south of the river.

One Richmond and the inequality in the area

Teddington and the borough of Richmond are often seen as well-off areas. However there is still plenty of inequality in the region.

David explained: "Independent research found that Richmond had the highest difference in GCSE achievement across London when you compare children on free school meals to those who are not.

"We also have the highest self-harm rate amongst young people in London.

"In response we established a new scheme - One Richmond - working with RPLC."

One Richmond has been established for three main reasons.

1. Promote local giving (e.g. time, expertise, funds)
2. Raise significant additional resources to tackle disadvantage; and
3. Improve opportunities and change lives.

Double your money COVID-19 appeal

The fund have also launched an appeal to help those in need thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For every £1 you donate they will match it - all the way up to £100,000.

Already the appeal has received some generous donations.

Find out more HERE

And read all about The Hampton Fund HERE