The LGA Foundation (now known as The Reece Family Trust)
Founded by Sue Reece and John Reece MBE, the LGA Foundation (now known as The Reece Family Trust) is a North East family charitable trust dedicated to improving health, wellbeing and life opportunities across Tyneside and South Northumberland by supporting grassroots charities and community organisations creating lasting change.
Why was the charity formed?
The Trust was established from a simple belief that success brings with it a responsibility to give something back. Having built their businesses and spent most of their lives in the North East, Sue and John Reece wanted to invest in the communities that had supported them.
Previously known as the LGA Foundation – named after their three kids, Lauren, Greg and Ali – the Trust continues to build on those family values while reflecting its long-term vision and growing impact.
Rather than delivering services directly, the Trust provides flexible funding to charities and community organisations already making a meaningful difference, helping them grow their impact and reach more people.
Which area do you cover?
Our primary focus is Tyneside and South Northumberland, where we’ve supported charities tackling food poverty, improving mental health, reducing social isolation, supporting carers, and creating opportunities for children, young people and families. We believe grassroots organisations understand their communities better than anyone and can achieve extraordinary things with the right support.
Alongside our work in the North East, we also support projects further afield. Through Wallsend Boys Club’s Hong Kong project, we’ve helped underprivileged children access football, supported refugee summer camps, funded facilities for young people with special educational needs and helped a student complete a Masters in Psychology to provide future mental health support through local charities.
Recently we’ve backed young sporting talent including boxer Nathan Cummiskey and golfer Harrison Sewell, while also funding humanitarian aid for Ukraine through vehicles and emergency supplies. We’ve also supported The Grove Special School in Northumberland with a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, helping pupils access education, outdoor spaces and sporting activities.
What have been your proudest moments so far?
The greatest measure of our success is the impact achieved by the organisations we support.
We’ve seen charities increase their capacity, introduce new services and improve the lives of thousands of people across the North East. Whether supporting a local nursery, helping young people pursue their ambitions or funding humanitarian projects overseas, it’s incredibly rewarding to know our support is making a lasting difference.
We’re equally proud that the Trust remains firmly rooted in family values. As the next generation becomes increasingly involved in shaping its future, we’re creating a lasting legacy of community support for years to come.
What are you currently working on?
We’re supporting a number of projects that will deliver long-term benefits across the region.
One of our flagship investments is Footsteps Nursery in Benwell, where funding is helping create a new building with significantly improved facilities for pre-school children, giving local families a welcoming, high-quality environment for learning and development.
We’re also developing the Hedley Park Woodland Project, creating a new community woodland that will improve biodiversity and provide a lasting environmental legacy.
Alongside these projects, we continue to support organisations delivering mental health, youth, education, sport and arts initiatives that help people build confidence, improve wellbeing and strengthen community connections. We’re also exploring opportunities with the local authority to improve city parks for local communities.
What does the future hold?
As the Reece Family Trust enters its next chapter, we’re committed to growing our impact while remaining true to the values on which the Trust was founded.
Recent visits to the charities, community groups and social enterprises we support have reinforced the dedication and creativity that exists across the voluntary sector. We’re continually inspired by the difference these organisations make every day.
Looking ahead, we want to support even more grassroots organisations, strengthen partnerships and continue investing in projects that create lasting social and environmental change. We know the challenges facing charities continue to grow, and we’re committed to helping ensure they have the support they need to thrive.
How do you get involved?
If you’re a charity or community organisation working to improve health, wellbeing or opportunities across Tyneside or South Northumberland, we’d encourage you to get in touch.
We aim to make applying for funding as straightforward as possible. Organisations complete a simple application before we begin our due diligence process, and we operate a rolling grants programme with no application deadlines.
The North East is home to an extraordinary charitable sector. Through the Reece Family Trust, we’re proud to support organisations creating stronger, healthier and more connected communities while continuing to invest in projects that improve lives both locally and further afield.
reecefamilytrust.org