The Mayflower Legacy Fund was set up by Ivan Henderson during his Mayoral year to provide a long-term source of funding to support charities in Harwich and Dovercourt. 

Ivan's year coincided with the 400th anniversary of Master Christopher Jones sea voyage aboard the Mayflower so it seemed appropriate to create something that would last beyond his term of office, and would have a link to the ongoing maritime history of Harwich.  Importantly, the fund would be a legacy to support and benefit local people for years to come.

The Mayflower Legacy Fund is managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).  Ivan fundraised  during his year and encouraged businesses and individuals to  also  contribute to help the Fund grow. 

Ivan said, "By doing this together we can build a financial resource for local charities and voluntary groups working in Harwich and Dovercourt to tap into.  The fund will give ongoing support, particularly for organisations that are contributing to community safety and those working with children and young people.

"I initially launched the fund with £10,000, an allocation given to all county councillors to invest in their communities and this was matched on a 2 to 1 basis by ECF with monies from the Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme.  Since then, further donations have been added and matched, and I am thrilled that the Fund is growing."

Local charities have already benefited from support, including Harwich Hive, Teen Talk, Home-Start Harwich and the Ark Family Resource Centre who are all working hard to keep children and young people safe in their homes and in the community.  In addition, and in partnership with other local businesses and ECF fundholders, the Fund enabled 20 local young people to have the opportunity of a lifetime by taking part in a Tall Ships Sailing trip from Harwich to Portsmouth in 2021.     

If you would like to support local charities that are providing a positive future for young people, while honouring the remarkable history of Harwich, please give to the Mayflower Legacy Fund.