The Beard Charitable Foundation was set up in 2016 with a £250,000 donation from the Beard family, to support initiatives driven by our people and construction education projects within the communities where we live and work.
The Foundation’s assets are held and managed by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, a charitable organisation that connects donors with local causes.
Led by our Chairman Mark Beard, the Foundation is administered by a Board made up of colleagues across our regions, and includes a representative from the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.
Well known in the industry and the region, the Beard Charitable Foundation was established by Alan Beard, retired Chairman and the third generation to lead the business.
Together, we see real opportunity to deliver positive impacts on local economies, local communities, and local people - leaving a lasting legacy and helping to be better tomorrow than we are today.
Supporting people and organisations in the areas where we work and encouraging staff to give back to the local community is an essential part of our commitment to being a good neighbour and helping to create flourishing, successful communities. The Beard Charitable Foundation will benefit communities across the South of England.ALAN BEARD
Former Chairman
Here to help
The Beard Charitable Foundation awards around £20,000 in grants each year, adding to funding raised by individuals or teams, with the aim of supporting the Beard family & colleagues in their charitable endeavours.
The Foundation aims to make larger, strategic, adhoc donations and invites applicants from charities within the company's operating area, particularly those who share our goals and high ambitions to advance construction industry education.
SATRO
SATRO provides STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) educational opportunities to students in Surrey, Oxfordshire & Berkshire.
We share their commitment to promoting careers in construction, and a diverse and inclusive sector.
Working with SATRO and local schools, we’re raising awareness for STEM subjects through the charity’s interactive vocational programme, demonstrating how these subjects translate into the wider world.
We work with schools to integrate our services into their curriculum, attending skills buildings days and getting involved, along with STEM professionals, to take the discussion further and showcase the opportunities in these fields in the working world.
Beard and the Charitable Foundation have great links with SATRO:
- Our Pre-construction Manager in Guildford, Ollie Chun, serves on the board of the charity and stays actively involved in Construction Forum and Building Challenge days.
- We donate £10,000 a year (since 2021) in support of their inspirational in-school programmes.
- Our site teams actively participate in the school programmes, engaging with primary and secondary students, demonstrating real construction concepts such as design, cost and buildability, and providing practical and interactive coaching.
- We offer support and advice at careers information events.
Activities supported by the Beard Charitable Foundation
OX5 run for Oxford Children’s Hospital
In March 2024, a group of Oxford colleagues joined Joseph Rimmer & his family team (JEEP) to run the OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace; the largest annual fundraiser for the Oxford Children's Hospital. They completed the five mile race with two of Joseph's children in buggies, in support of the hospital following one of the girls becoming a regular patient.
Not only did they meet their fundraising target, they doubled it with the help of the Beard Charitable Foundation & donated £5,000 to Oxford Children's Hospital.
Snowdon Sunrise Trek for Shooting Star Hospice
A team of intrepid trekkers took on the challenge of climbing Snowdon to catch the sunrise. Setting off at 2.30am with headtorches, they reached the summit around 6.30am to raise much needed funds for Shooting Star Children's Hospice, which were bolstered by a £1,300 donation from the Beard Charitable Foundation. Shooting Star Children’s Hospices care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
Conquering Pen Y Fan for Spinal Research
One of our Swindon Site Managers, Will Jones, together with a group of friends carried their disabled friend to the top of Pen Y Fan mountain to raise money for Spinal research. Incredible fundraising efforts meant they could donate almost £18,000, which included an amount from the BCF.
London to Paris Cycle for the Alzheimers Society & Katherine House Hospice
Led by Site Manager, Chris Godfrey, a team of five family and friends raised £2,700 including a £1,500 donation by the BCF.
They headed off from Tower Bridge, London & reached the Eiffel Tower, Paris in three and a half days.
London to Brighton Cycle in aid of British Heart Foundation
Peter Beilby, Senior Project Manager, raised £1,000 with a £500 donation from the BCF.
“I did the ride for two reasons. One, the challenge and secondly because I am a regular supporter of the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Back in 2015, I suffered a heart problem whilst at work, and after a small emergency op, had a pacemaker fitted. The BHF has helped to halve the number of people dying from heart problems and circulatory disease in the UK, but sadly every day hundreds of people still lose their lives. I was one of the lucky ones.”
Sussex Heritage Trust Bursary Programme
The programme provides funding to help young people launch their careers in the construction industry and building conservation crafts.
£1,000 from the Beard Charitable Foundation supported a student from Crawley College to attend a week long course at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, learning about oak timber framing and the problems faced by carpenters framing with ‘wet’ or ‘green’ oak in the past.
Sobell House Hospice
The BCF has provided match funding for the work of our Oxford crew who have tackled a number of events, including a Jail Break Quiz, BBQ Race Night and a River Walk, to raise a total of £4,200.
Prospect Hospice Starlight Walk
In memory of Joanie who was sister, mum, aunt and life-long friend of colleagues in our central team, The Brightsides - Nicky Smith, Lauren Owen, Charlotte McCrory, Teresa Wilkins and friends - completed a 10k Starlight Walk on 24 June 2024.
With a £1,000 donation from the BCF they raised an incredible £2,329 for Prospect Hospice, which holds a special place in their hearts thanks to the tremendous support and end of life care provided for Joanie.
Daily 3km run for U14 football team
Our Management Accountant Ben Mawer - who coaches the Highworth Town Juniors U14 football team - ran 3km every day in March to fund new team jerseys.
With a £1,000 boost from the BCF, Ben raised £1,850 and covered the full cost of their new kit as well as new tracksuits for the 2024 season.
