Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, has partnered up with the Bacta Charitable Trust to provide a local Southport charity with a £2,000 donation.
Patrick Hurley MP and Bacta Charitable Trust Chairman John Bollom presented Friends of King’s Gardens Southport with a £2,000 cheque, which will go a long way in ensuring they can continue their important work.
The cheque was officially presented by Patrick Hurley and John Bollom to Julie Rudge and Serena Silcock-Prince from the Friends Of King’s Gardens at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant on Sunday (26th April 2026).
It was a fitting place to do the presentation, as guests enjoyed beautiful views across a packed King’s Gardens as families enjoyed a warm and sunny day.
This donation is part of a new Bacta Charitable Trust (BCT) initiative to target charities in need of support who the organisation hasn’t previously been able to engage with.
MPs across the country were asked to nominate a local charity who they believed would benefit from such a financial boost.
Since it was founded in 1991, the Bacta Charitable Trust has raised and donated hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities around the UK.
Through set events like their annual summer ball and golf tournament, as well as through standalone projects, the BCT has provided invaluable support to individuals, groups and organisations the length and breadth of the country.
Commenting on the initiative, Patrick Hurley MP said:
“I was delighted to take part in the Bacta Charitable Trust’s new initiative to provide donations to hardworking charities in my constituency. After much deliberation due to the sheer number of brilliant local causes, it was brilliant to present the £2,000 cheque to Friends of King’s Gardens Southport. They work to preserve and restore King’s Gardens as a cherished public space through volunteer-led events and community fundraising.”
BCT Chairman, John Bollom, said:
“It was wonderful to work with Patrick Hurley MP to identify a local charity in need of support from the Bacta Charitable Trust.
“Local charities are often the backbone of communities, doing vital work, often with little funding or recognition.
“Friends of King’s Gardens Southport does crucial work in the local area and I hope our donation will ensure this work can continue for many years to come.”
Silcock Leisure Group Head Of Operations and Friends Of King’s Gardens volunteer Serena Silcock-Prince said:
“On behalf of the Friends Of King’s Gardens we’d like to thank Patrick Hurley and Bacta for this wonderful surprise donation.
“The funding will be put to great use. The Friends Of King’s Gardens urgently need a water bowser, to help them keep everything watered.
“They can also use the funding to provide fencing, to help pay towards a gardener to give them some support, and to provide some new plants to bring more colour and vibrancy to the gardens.
“The Friends Of King’s Gardens do an amazing job making this area look good for visitors.
“There were so many visitors here over the weekend and we’re looking forward to May Bank Holiday coming up!
“We desperately need volunteers and are always happy to welcome anyone who’d like to come and join us.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to John Bollom from Bacta and to Southport MP Patrick Hurley for their support.”
More information on the Bacta Charitable Trust can be found here: The Bacta Charitable Trust supporting good causes
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