IT HAS been quite a momentous year for the Gooch Charitable Trust, and thoughts are now turning to how to make 2017 better.

Based in Ilminster, the trust, which offers support to a wide variety of organisations throughout the town, has donated thousands of pounds to causes and individuals in the surrounding area.

Launched 18 years ago by Ilminster businessman Archie Gooch, one of its major achievements in 2016 was the opening of the Archie Gooch Pavilion at Ilminster Football Club, which cost almost £600,000.

The trust has also helped support Ilminster Cricket Club in refurbishing its clubhouse, and has also provided on-going support for Vaughan Lee House care home.

Trust chairman Heather Virgin said 2016 had been a good year and it was especially pleased with the clubhouse.

She said: “Not only is it a fabulous facility for the football club, it is also being used by so many different groups within the community.

“It is having a positive impact on the town of Ilminster.”

Residents at Vaughan Lee House have also benefitted from the trust’s generous donations, which has allowed the management to build new wings and a new lounge, and also fund a new minibus.

Mark Buff, from Vaughan Lee house, said: “As a charity, we have been the recipients of many thousands of pounds from the Gooch Charitable Trust and of course this means that our residents have benefitted hugely.

“Gooch Charitable Trust has helped build new wings and a beautiful lounge and it continues to support the home in providing grants for the running of the minibus, which they purchased for us and also, larger maintenance projects.

“There is no doubt that through the generosity of the trust, Vaughan Lee House has been able to provide a much improved service to all those who have chosen to live here.”

The Gooch Trust has also supported youth organisation Street Space, contributing towards the funding of one of its part time workers over the past three years, and continuing its support for youth, the group gave its annual Christmas gift to Jacob Mullen, who suffered from the rare Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Jacob and his family are working hard to raise money to buy a special off-road wheelchair for Jake, to make such a huge difference to his life.

Heather added: “This gift is slightly out of the usual remit of the trust, which doesn’t generally make grants to individuals, but Jacob’s cause was one that had to be supported.

“We hope that this gift of £1,000 will help Jacob and his family reach their target early in the New Year so that Jacob can enjoy his independence.”

For more details on the trust or to apply for funding from it, call 01460 52214.