Our partnership with the Durham County Cricket Board, began in 1989, with our sponsorship enabling the board to set up and run the Durham Conty under 19 team.

Since 2006, the sponsorship has helped to cover the costs of the winter player pathway courses with £12,000 being donated annually, equating to over £150,000.   Today, the primary focus is the County Age groups including both girls and boys squads.

Founding member of the County Durham Foundation (now know as the County Durham Community Foundation).  A £25,000 fund was set up to help worthy causes in our home county of Durham.  We have always felt a responsibility in looking after our communities and the CDCF has allowed us to support a wide range of different needs and causes.  We would like to thank the CDCF for all their hard work over the last 25 years.

A total of £4,372 was distributed to groups throughout the year including £1,500 to the Teddy Bear Club to purchase new play mats and soft play.

“The priority of the Banks Community Fund is to support projects that promote inclusion, improve local facilities and create environmental benefits – leaving positive legacy in the communities we work in” Mark Dowdall, Environmental & Community Director.

Over £230,000 was awarded to charitable and community groups throughout the year including £7,000 to help fund the installation of an inner wall at the Scout Hut for the 19^th Durham Scouts. *Do we have a quote from the news article to insert?* if not then below can be added……

Throughout the year our incredible team raised £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support who were our nominated charity of the year, with team members taking part in a variety of sponsored events, including the Great North Run.

We supported the First Lumiere in Durham City and have since supported a series of permanent, public artworks supported through the Banks Community fund.

Tobie Langel’s witty and unusual civic clock, Helvetictoc, which is sited on the wall above the city’s Library and was our first permanent Lumiere gift to the Durham community.

Lightbench by Bernd Spiecker for LBO-Lichtbankobjekte (Germany) is now installed in the new Freeman’s Quay development.

Heron, an illuminated silver homage to one of England’s most magnificent birds was created by artist Jon Voss and debuted successfully at the 2017 Lumiere Durham festival and remains a permanent public sculpture on the banks of the River Wear next to Millburngate bridge.

Over £285,000 awarded throughout the year including £3,000 to Hickleton Village Hall for roof repairs and £5,000 towards picnic benches and kitchen equipment to the Land Restoration Trust.

The Ellington Allotment Association received a £750 grant from the Banks Community Fund to purchase three high quality wooden benches placed around the site.

“As a relatively new organisation, we don’t have the money in the bank available at the moment to make purchases like these benches, so we’re very grateful to the Banks Group for their support and know they will be very well used.” Susan Clarke, Secretary and Treasurer.

Over £700,000 was distributed throughout the year including – The Foundation of light who were gifted £50,000 for their classroom fit outs at the newly built Beacon of Light.

Darlington Civic Theatre were granted £27,500 for general repair and restoration whilst Belmont Community Centre received £23,000 towards a community kitchen.

The Teeside based charity Daisy Chain who work with Children with Autism received a £5,570 grant to purchase a high tech greenhouse and heat mat that was used by its students to learn new skills and grow their own produce.  The funding also covered the cost of making repairs to the charity’s duck pond to both ensure it was safe for the children to use and that the ducks and fish that live there are well protected.

The Bee Happy Craft Group in West Lothian received a grant of £2,500 to enable their sessions for members to continue.  “Banks have been fantastic to deal with and very helpful along the way – and their fund is making a real difference in the local area.” Jill Stewart

Over £350,000 awarded in grants throughout the year including – Durham County Cricket Foundation gifted £30,000 towards Nursery ground development and a £4,200 grant to Newbiggin Community Boxing Club towards improving facilities.   Easington Colliery Brass Band was also awarded a grant of £3,000 towards replacing old instruments.

“The response we’ve had from around the region has been terrific, and generous donations like the one we’ve just received from the Banks Group give us the platform we need to secure a sustainable future for the band”.  Peter Lawson, Easington Colliery Brass Band Secretary.

Over £400,000 awarded throughout the year including a £20,000 grant awarded to Durham Cathedral to support the Galilee Chapel Project.

“At almost 890 years old, Durham Cathedral requires constant management to preserve this magnificent historic building and ensure it remains safe and accessible for all our community to enjoy.

Our closure due to the pandemic had a very significant impact on the cathedral’s finances, but the costs of maintaining the building have not gone away.

“It can be difficult to secure funding for essential projects like this which don’t necessarily catch the public eye, but The Banks Group have been extremely responsive to our needs and it would have been challenging to deliver these works without their generous support.” The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham

We have been a long-term supporter of Durham Cathedral, with a previous £10,000 Banks Community Fund grant supporting the installation of fully-automated doors between the Undercroft Foyer and the cathedral’s restaurant.

Over £500,000 awarded throughout the year including a grant of £10,000 to Beamish Museum to provide equipment and lighting for the 1950’s Aged Miners Homes.

“Securing the support of regional businesses like The Banks Group is central to the success of our development plans, and we’re really looking forward to being able to welcome visitors” Lisa Kaimenas, Remaking Beamish Project Officer – Community Participation

We are a long-term supporter of Beamish, with a £22,000 grant provided in 2018 supporting the re-creation of a 1950s County Durham welfare hall as part of the Remaking Beamish project and previous grants totalling £17,000 providing a banner display case for the Hetton Silver Band project and helping to establish an authentic colliery lamp cabin within the museum’s mining exhibit.

Over the course of the year, £60,000 was donated to the County Durham Community Foundation’s Poverty Hurts Appeal.  This incredible campaign came very close to achieving its ambitious target of raising £1 million throughout the year and gained support from many local business and individuals.

Grants awarded from this appeal help those local individuals and groups who are facing extreme hardship because of the cost of living crisis and the appeal has currently supported over 33,277 people.

Over the course of the year, £70,000 was awarded to a wide range of community groups and organisations across the North East and Yorkshire. This funding supported projects focused on improving health, wellbeing, inclusion and access to vital community facilities.

Grants were awarded to organisations including Throckley Bowling Club, Durham Area Youth, St John’s Church in Killingworth and Harlow Community Centre in Harrogate, helping them to continue delivering activities, services and safe spaces for people of all ages. Through this support, the Banks Community Fund continued to strengthen local communities and help organisations respond to growing demand.

During 2025, £102,532.95 was awarded to community groups and charities across the North East, supporting projects focused on tackling hardship, improving wellbeing and strengthening local communities.

Grants were awarded to organisations including Red Balloons in Tees Valley, Wansbeck Valley Food Bank, Horticap, West Rainton Village Partnership and High Kicks Communities in Killingworth. This funding helped these organisations continue delivering vital services, supporting vulnerable people and creating positive, lasting impact in their local areas.