SDL Car Parts has partnered with the Matthew Good Foundation to launch the Minorfern Foundation - a new initiative that provides grants to small, local charities and community groups across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire.
The foundation was created in 2024 to celebrate SDL Car Parts’ 45th anniversary, with our team nominating the first beneficiaries. Over the past 45 years, we've supported many great causes, and now, through the Minorfern Foundation, we're committed to helping small regional charities that are making a real difference in their communities.
,,When we launched the Minorfern Foundation, our goal was simple – to give back to the communities that have always supported us, and to do it in a way that genuinely reflects the values of our people.
What followed in our first year was more moving and meaningful than we could have imagined. Across our branches, staff stepped forward to nominate causes that had touched their lives – charities helping bereaved families, rescuing animals, supporting children through illness, and offering a lifeline to people in crisis. Every nomination told a story, and together they reminded us that charitable funding can make a powerful difference in the hands of passionate, dedicated people.
I’ve had the privilege of visiting some of these charities, and each time I’ve come away humbled by the resilience and compassion at the heart of the voluntary sector. The £40,000 we granted in our first year reached ten remarkable organisations, most of them small in size but mighty in impact. And while it’s been difficult knowing we can’t help everyone, I’m incredibly proud of the thought and care our teams put into their nominations.
This review celebrates the stories behind the statistics – the people, the partnerships, and the passion driving the Minorfern Foundation. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey and supporting even more brilliant causes in the year ahead.In our first year - and again by the end of 2025 - we aim to donate £40,000 to these inspiring local initiatives." - Julie Salter, People and Culture Director
Please follow the hashtag #MinorfernFoundation on FB to keep up to date.
In its first year, the Minorfern Foundation awarded £40,000 in unrestricted funding to 10 charities and non-profits, each receiving £4,000. For all, this funding made a huge difference - enabling urgent purchases, covering core costs, or expanding their reach. With all organisations nominated by SDL Car Parts employees, the grants supported causes that truly matter to the people behind the business.
The ten shortlisted charities all fell within four key themes that reflect the values of SDL Car Parts and its people: alleviating poverty, supporting children and young people, improving health and wellbeing, and helping animals. These broad categories ensured the Foundation’s first year of giving reached a wide range of causes making a real difference in their communities.
Stairfoot Foodbank: Nourishing the Community
Stairfoot Foodbank, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a lifeline for many in Barnsley, providing emergency food parcels to individuals and families facing financial hardship.
Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, the foodbank often feeds up to 147 people weekly and relies on fundraising activities like car boot sales and coffee mornings to purchase necessary food items.
In addition to food parcels, they create special Christmas hampers with gifts for families and collaborate with local schools on community service projects, fostering community spirit and awareness.
The funding received from the Minorfern Foundation will go towards essential costs such as insurance and fuel, and will also help them to purchase a new freezer.
Fairplay: Supporting Young People with Disabilities
Fairplay is a charity committed to improving the lives of young people with disabilities in North Derbyshire. The charity offers a range of activities and support services designed to empower young people, from social clubs and holiday schemes to bespoke programs that develop life skills and promote independence. Fairplay’s work helps to break down barriers and create opportunities for young people to participate fully in their communities.
The funding from the Minorfern Foundation will enable Fairplay to expand its activities and offer more young people the chance to benefit from their transformative programs, improving their quality of life and providing them with valuable experiences.
Howarth Foundation: Supporting People Out of Homelessness
Howarth Foundation is a Yorkshire-based charity dedicated to helping individuals escape homelessness and rebuild their lives. Through their Business Building Futures programme, the foundation offers training, mentorship, and employment opportunities to those who have faced hardship. Many of their service users have overcome significant challenges, including addiction recovery and unstable housing situations.
The charity provides not only job training but also essential support such as food, clothing, and travel expenses while individuals transition into employment. They continue to offer assistance for up to two years, ensuring that each person has the best possible chance at long-term stability.
The £4,000 grant will enable Howarth Foundation to expand their training programmes and continue their mission to break the cycle of homelessness through employment opportunities and long-term support.
"As a self-funded charity with no government support, we rely entirely on fundraising events and donations like this to continue our work. In 2024, we supported over 50 individuals, securing employment or training for 15, and helping many more access vital services. Each person we return to work saves the taxpayer up to £100k, but more importantly, it transforms lives. On behalf of the team at Howarth Foundation I would like to sincerely thank you for this immense donation that allows us to carry on work that we are passionate about and see a real and genuine need for."
Andy Howarth – CEO, The Howarth Foundation
The Children’s Hospital Charity
This charity supports Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to change lives every day. The money they raise supports specialist treatment from head to toe, by funding life-saving equipment, new facilities, a comfortable environment, and vital research, which changes paediatric care for thousands of children from across the world.
The grant has been used to support the specialist Pre-Operative Healthcare Team that cares for children with complex needs that require specialist care. A calming atmosphere and welcoming environment has been created for patients with sensory equipment, toys and books.
Ben’s Den: Creating Joy for Children with Serious Illnesses
Ben's Den is a charity founded in memory of Ben Parker, who passed away from leukaemia in 2003. Established in March 2004 by his parents, the charity supports families of children battling cancer or leukaemia by offering free caravan holidays.
Ben, diagnosed with leukaemia at age 10, showed remarkable courage throughout his treatment, inspiring those around him until his passing at age 13. His parents, having experienced the emotional and financial strain of dealing with childhood cancer, founded Ben’s Den to provide families with opportunities to create lasting memories away from hospital environments.
The charity now operates seven caravans, including one adapted for wheelchair access, at Golden Sands in Mablethorpe and Tattershall Lakes near Sleaford, and has provided over 1500 families with much-needed breaks.
The Foundation’s support will allow more families to benefit from these invaluable breaks, offering them comfort and happiness during challenging times.
Walking 4 Hope
Walking 4 Hope promotes mental well-being through free walking and outdoor activity groups for all ages and abilities. From gentle family strolls to mountain scrambles, their activities help people build resilience through nature. Their Wednesday Well-Being Walks in Mansfield and Ashfield are a popular starting point, alongside family hikes with games and trails.
Founded by John after the tragic loss of his son Jake in 2020, the charity is driven by a mission to prevent others from suffering alone.
Having recently raised funds for a minibus, they now hope to acquire land for camping. Funding from the Minorfern Foundation has helped support the charity’s running costs as it expands.
Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity: Fighting Brain Tumours, Supporting Families
Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) offers vital support to people affected by brain tumours while funding pioneering research in Yorkshire. Their work provides a crucial lifeline for families facing one of the toughest diagnoses.
Thanks to a £4,000 grant from the Minorfern Foundation, YBTC can help researchers move early-stage projects forward to unlock future breakthroughs.
Dronfield First Responders
This team of trained volunteers provide vital medical assistance in emergencies. Working alongside the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), they are often the first on the scene for life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrests. Their rapid response can be the difference between life and death.
Equipped with specialist training and life-saving equipment, these volunteers bridge the crucial gap in emergency medical care. Their presence ensures that patients receive immediate attention, improving survival rates and reducing long-term health complications.
The £4,000 grant from the Minorfern Foundation will help them maintain their services, ensuring that more lives can be saved in the community.
Brinsley Animal Rescue
Brinsley Animal Rescue rescues pets, wild animals and farm animals, its aim is to re home pets and farm animals into life-long loving homes and release wild animals back into the wild. Where they cannot rehome pets and farm animals, they provide them with permanent sanctuary.
The charity has no paid staff and its premises, land, buildings, utilities and fuel are donated by the founders to the charity free of charge. Therefore, all of the money raised for the Charity goes directly into helping animals by paying for food, bedding, treatment and vets bills.
Please see below a personal reflection from our People Strategist, Andrea, who had the pleasure of presenting the cheque.
"What can I say? Today was a good day… I had the lovely job of meeting with Jon Beresford, who along with his partner Bethan, set up the Brinsley Animal Rescue in 2007. The rescue centre and sanctuary are based at their home, and 22 acres at two sites are donated to the charity free of charge. They must raise £2,000 per week to keep the centre running; these funds provide the animals’ food, bedding, veterinary costs, and expenditure for housing, etc. As they are all volunteers and the premises are donated free of charge, the funding is spent directly on animals.
Jon did prepare me before I went over to see them that it would be muddy, and it certainly was, but happy as a pig in mud, I met Jemima. This little girl had fallen out of a trailer onto the A38 when she was rescued as a little piglet. She came over to see if I had any food, I suspect, but to say hello too. Then I met Freddie, a black cow with a twisted jaw, so his tongue sticks out to one side. He struggles to eat because the food falls out of his mouth; after being shown how to feed him, he gratefully took a banana from me. I was amazed how tall he was, but Jon said we only see cows in fields that are a year old; they grow a lot bigger than Freddie. Then I met Gracie, a beautiful cow who unfortunately has cataracts, so is blind; she has adapted really well and loves a good scratch behind her ears.
Jon is an absolute font of knowledge and adores all the rescued animals that are brought to their door. That morning alone, they had volunteers go out to an injured fox, buzzard, and pigeon. Not all animals survive, but if they do make it and fully recover, they either get released back into the wild or they are rehomed after full checks are done.
So, if you can give a cat, rabbit, goat, chicken, or even a pig a home, please think about these guys first. All animals deserve a chance to live their best lives." - Andrea
Babbington Dog Rescue: Giving Dogs a Second Chance
Babbington Dog Rescue, established in 1993, is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs in need. With a non-destruction policy, Babbington rehomes over 600 dogs annually, with nearly 10,000 dogs successfully placed in loving homes since its inception. The charity’s vital work relies on boarding kennels, public donations, and the support of volunteers, all working tirelessly to provide care for the dogs until they find their forever homes.
The Minorfern Foundation’s grant will help Babbington continue its essential work, supporting the care of rescued dogs and helping to fund its operations, ensuring that more dogs can be saved and rehomed.
£6,400 of our giving was raised by SDL Car Parts Employees
Not all the cash granted by the Minorfern Foundation this year came directly from the Foundation itself. This year, a significant portion was raised through the incredible fundraising efforts of SDL Car Parts employees. In July, a large team of staff took on the epic Tough Mudder challenge, raising an impressive £6,400. These funds were then topped up by the Minorfern Foundation to create a total pot of £8,000, with Babbington Dog Rescue and Fairplay each receiving £4,000.
A huge well done and thank you to everyone who got involved!
Pathways Homeless
This vital service for people experiencing homelessness is Chesterfield’s primary centre for those in housing crisis. They provide a wide range of support, including housing advice, specialist nursing, tenancy support, access to essential services like a dentist, peer mentors, and activities and provisions to improve wellbeing. Each year, Pathways supports around 880 people in need, including helping around 280 individuals secure housing, demonstrating their significant
Gussies Pantry
Gussies Pantry, part of Gussies Community in Chesterfield, supports local residents through various initiatives. These include a pantry shop for households facing food insecurity, a café for social meals, a jumble shop recycling items, and free youth activities during school holidays. They also host a yearly community gala and maintain local green spaces, powered by dedicated volunteers.
Elm Foundation Domestic Abuse
The Elm Foundation is a Safelives Accredited charity in Derbyshire dedicated to ending domestic abuse. Their trauma-informed services focus on prevention, crisis, and recovery, offering tailored support to adults, children, and families at risk. They provide refuge accommodation, including spaces for women, men, and those with complex needs, alongside outreach support to help survivors rebuild their lives. Their “Changes” programme supports perpetrators in recognising and changing abusive behaviours, while the “Making Positive Choices” initiative targets early intervention with young people. As part of the Women’s Aid network, they also offer CPD-accredited training to raise awareness and support professionals.
YMCA Barnsley
YMCA Barnsley is a long-standing local charity dedicated to empowering children, young people, and families. They provide safe spaces, engaging activities, and support to help young people belong, contribute, and thrive in their communities. With over 1,300 children supported annually through more than 800 sessions across 10 programmes, they foster potential and community participation. Additionally, they offer affordable facilities for other charities and use their resources to support the homeless and vulnerable
Wildlings
Wildlings is more than a preschool; it’s a way of life that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and resilience. Through both hall-based and outdoor sessions in ancient woodlands, children lead their own learning while skilled educators provide gentle guidance. With a strong focus on play, exploration, and connection to nature, Wildlings fosters independence, confidence, and selfesteem. Offering rich experiences like tool use, sensory play, and forest school activities, Wildlings prepares children for a lifetime of joyful learning.
Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice offers compassionate care for adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Their services include end-of-life care, wellbeing programmes, and emotional support. Additionally, the Children’s Therapy Centre provides vital counselling and play therapy for children coping with grief and loss in a safe, nurturing environment. Recently transformed on BBC’s DIY SOS, the centre strengthens Treetops’ mission to bring comfort, hope, and essential support to families during challenging times.
Footprints for Pollie
Just4Children is fundraising to support Pollie, a 13-year-old from Doncaster, born at just 24 weeks and weighing only 1lb 10oz. Despite a bleak prognosis at birth, including diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus, and Epilepsy, Pollie has defied expectations. She can eat, talk, and walk with a specialised frame. To aid her recovery from upcoming major surgery and continue her progress, funds are needed for therapies like physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and movement therapy. These will help Pollie achieve her goal of living her best, most independent life.
PACT
PACT – Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia – provides vital emotional, social, and practical support for families in South Yorkshire who have children fighting cancer. Although survival rates for children’s cancer have improved, the journey remains physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. PACT, run by parents, offers support through a range of services, including a fivebedroom house near Sheffield Children’s Hospital, holiday accommodations for families, and social support tailored to children of all ages. Their mission is to ease the challenges families face and enhance their quality of life throughout the treatment process.
Forever Stars
Forever Stars is an East Midlands charity supporting families who’ve experienced stillbirth, infant loss, and neonatal death. Founded by Michelle and Richard Daniels after the stillbirth of their daughter Emily in 2013, the charity aims to provide compassionate support and create dedicated spaces for bereaved families. Services include Serenity Suites in hospitals, a remembrance garden, and a community hub offering resources and guidance. Forever Stars ensures families can honour their loss while finding hope and healing.
Ashbourne Animal Welfare
Founded in 1988, this charity operates The Ark Rescue and Rehoming Centre, dedicated to caring for unwanted and stray cats and dogs. Each animal receives loving care, necessary veterinary treatment, and neutering before adoption. The charity also promotes responsible pet ownership to ensure the animals’ long-term well-being. With a commitment to giving pets a second chance, Ashbourne Animal Welfare has rehomed over 9,000 animals to date, transforming countless lives and bringing joy to families.