Andy Reid’s Standing Tall Foundation (STF) has struck up a new partnership with the English Cities Fund (ECF) as part of a campaign to drive prosperity and benefit communities across St Helens.
The STF aims to support veterans, disadvantaged young people and others in need by drawing on Andy’s experiences - delivering fully funded programmes designed to improve, enhance and help individuals across a wide spectrum of social needs.
The STF and ECF will work closely together to promote the foundation’s core work and principles to a wider audience, while offering opportunities for colleagues to volunteer for a day.
Andy, from Rainford, was serving in the army in Afghanistan in 2009, when he stood on an improvised explosive device, losing both his legs and his right arm.
Since his accident, he has become a volunteer ambassador and fundraiser for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and has committed his life to raising awareness and fundraising for amputees, both civilian and military - which he gained an MBE for in 2019.
The Standing Tall Foundation was set up to offer a range of support services and proactive programmes to veterans and disadvantaged community groups, looking to help with homelessness, debt management, relationships and mental health.
The foundation also has a local hub which includes informal drop-in sessions at Willowbrook Cafe, at the Living Well Building on Borough Road in St Helens.
Phil Mayall, regional director at ECF, said: “We’re delighted to forge this partnership with STF and reaffirm our commitment to giving back to support the people of St Helens.
“Regeneration isn’t just about bricks and mortar building shiny, new buildings, it’s about working with likeminded partners and the community to create a fairer, diverse and inclusive place that benefits everyone.
“On hearing Andy’s story and the great work of STF, we knew there was something we could to support his foundation and build it into our wider work in this historic town.
“We couldn’t be prouder to launch this partnership and we look forward to strengthening our relationship going forward.”
Andy Reid, executive chairman of the Standing Tall Foundation, said: “To receive this financial and wider support from The English Cities Fund is a proud moment for us all at STF.
“Both STF and ECF share the same core values to change communities for the better, by providing support and opportunities to those who need it.
“I look forward to building our relationship with ECF, whose work and support will enable us to raise awareness of the work we do, to make sure that we can provide support to society’s most vulnerable and in need.”
ECF and St Helens Council signed a 20-year, borough-wide development agreement in December last year, with the aim of bringing forward opportunities to repurpose and regenerate areas in the borough.
They have developed a draft master plan, which will be shared with the community over the next few months, with potential first phases to be developed likely to be in St Helens and Earlestown town centres.
Cllr David Baines, leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “It’s brilliant that The English Cities Fund is supporting the Standing Tall Foundation in this way.
“It speaks volumes about the values and commitment to communities that ECF hold, and which was so important to us when we signed the 20-year partnership deal with them.
“I’m sure Andy’s foundation will go from strength to strength and I’m equally sure this is just the start of ECF making a hugely positive difference to St Helens borough in lots of ways.”
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