A CHARITABLE trust which has supported causes – particularly those affecting older people – across Basingstoke and beyond has reached the incredible milestone of having given away £100,000.

Since 2011 the Penton Trust has gifted £100,000 in grants to 63 community groups and charities in Basingstoke, Southampton and Portsmouth.

This funding has supported lunch clubs, neighbourcare schemes, foodbanks and bowling clubs.

The trust has also funded a dedicated worker at Basingstoke Citizens Advice Bureau, who has since helped 334 older people obtain £395,126 in unclaimed support and benefits.

Sally Bashford, Penton Trust Fundholder, said: “The most outstanding success has been the funding of a dedicated worker with the Basingstoke Citizens Advice Bureau.

“Her commitment to supporting individuals in their efforts to secure benefits to which they were entitled has proved to be highly successful.”