New funding pot launches for local mental health charities and projects
As part of the M6toll’s ongoing commitment to supporting meaningful causes through their ‘In the Community’ scheme, the company is launching their second quarterly theme for 2025 focused on mental health and are welcoming local charities and projects to apply for funding.
Local organisations dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health challenges can apply for funding boosts of up to £1,250, to help them deliver essential projects and initiatives that will make a positive contribution to the lives of people experiencing or recovering from mental illness.
This announcement comes ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, which takes place from 12 to 18 May 2025. The theme for this year’s awareness week is ‘Community’, reflecting the vital role that supportive communities play in enhancing mental health and well-being.
Jo Seabright, Marketing & Communications and Customer Experience Director at M6toll shared, “We know how much a strong, supportive community can positively impact mental health and well-being. Through this quarter’s theme, we want to support local organisations who are creating those safe spaces and meaningful connections that change lives for the better.”
Through the In the Community Scheme, we aim to empower local organisations working tirelessly to create these supportive networks. The funding boosts are designed to help them continue their vital work, whether through running programs, providing resources, or extending their reach to those in need.
Organisations interested in applying for the funding boost in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week can find more information and apply by visiting https://www.m6toll.co.uk/about-us/drive-for-charity/
M6toll Launches Drive for Charity partnership with Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust
M6toll is excited to announce the second of three 2-year strategic charity partnerships, with the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) as part of its Drive for Charity initiative, focusing on ‘Community and Culture.’
The Restoration Trust is entirely volunteer-led and is dedicated to restoring the historic 7-mile Lichfield Canal, which was completed in 1797 but was abandoned in 1954 due to the decline of the national inland waterways network. Their goal is to bring this significant waterway back to its former glory and recreate the gateway to the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
M6toll has a long-standing relationship with the Trust, as the Lichfield Canal Aqueduct spans the motorway, having been installed before the road opened to traffic in 2003. The aqueduct remains unconnected to the canal, as restoration continues.
This new 2-year partnership will focus on providing much-needed tools, equipment, and resources for personal and public safety to support the volunteer teams. As more sections of the canal are completed, the need for their maintenance increases. The funds will also support the Trust’s education programme with local communities, schools, and Scout groups on restoration and biodiversity projects.
The Trust now has an even greater emphasis on habitat improvements and making contributions to combating climate change through environmental management and recreating channel sections as open water.
Jo Seabright, Customer Experience and Marketing & Communications and Director at M6toll said “We are incredibly proud to partner with Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting community and cultural initiatives that make a positive impact on our environment and local heritage. Our teams are eager to volunteer their time and get involved in these meaningful projects.” —
Bob Williams, LHCRT Finance and Funding Trustee added: ” We are delighted that M6toll is embarking on this partnership with us. Their support will provide vital resources to ensure the ongoing safety and efficiency of our dedicated volunteers as we continue to restore the Lichfield Canal, while supporting our work with local schools and youth groups.”
For further information regarding Drive for Charity please visit www.m6toll.co.uk/drive-for-charity
For further information regarding Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restroration Trust, please visit LHCRT
For all media enquires, please contact pressoffice@m6toll.co.uk
M6toll fund Community Public Access Defibrillator
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported South Staffordshire First Responders (SSFR) group with a donation of £1,000 to fund a Community Public Access
Defibrillator.
Community First Responders {CFR) are groups of volunteers trained to a nationally recognised level by West Midlands Ambulance Servic-e and respond to 999 calls in their local communities. They can be vital in reaching those people suffering from medical emergencies fast, particularly in remote rural communities, prior to the arrival of an ambulance. On many occasions, the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability. CFR’s maybe requested to attend to medical emergencies such as cardiac arrests, diabetic emergencies, strokes, falls, and breathing problems. The charity provides trained volunteers in Codsall, Perton, Pattingham, Wombourne, Kinver and all the surrounding villages.
Matt Jevons, Founding Trustee of SSFR said: “This is a fantastic donation from the M6toll and is much more than we originally thought it might be. The money donated to us will go towards funding a Community Public Access Defibrillator, which is available 24/7. Anyone who needs to access the defibrillator in an emergency calls 999 and the operator will give them a key code to open the box. The defibrillator can be used by anybody and gives the operator verbal instructions how to use it.”
Ian Harvey, M6toll’s Drive for Charity Social Squad member added: “I am proud to champion South Staffordshire First responders. Public access to defibrillators is so important, it can literally be the difference between life and death. In my hometown of Tamworth, there are a few located around the area and it always makes me feel safer. South Staffordshire First Responders are ensuing local people feel safer in their communities.”
You can read another Drive for Charity Article Here to discover more of our work.
Back to newsM6toll fund playground equipment for local School
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported a local school in Birmingham through their fundraising team ‘Friends of Hamilton’ who help and support children with Autism with a donation of £1,500 for new playground equipment.
Hamilton School is a primary special school and all students have an Education, Health and Care plan as all the children have a diagnosis of Autism. The school keep their focus on learning and have very high expectations as to what staff and students are capable of achieving. One of the key aims of ‘Friends of Hamilton’ is to provide extra equipment for pupils and support for their families so that each pupil can achieve their full potential.
Letitia Carter, Assistant Head Teacher, said “We are so grateful for the M6toll In the Community funding. All the pupils at the school have autism and complex learning difficulties and they need equipment they can use to regulate themselves. We desperately need to replace old equipment that provided movement regulation and this grant will allow us to put in equipment which is similar but better suited for our children.”
Ian Harvey, M6toll’s Drive for Charity Social Squad member added: “As the father of a young adult who is autistic, I have seen first-hand the difficulties faced with receiving the right information and help with social inclusion. I feel that ‘Friends of Hamilton’ play such an important role within the community and I am proud to be championing this project.”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit our Drive for Charity page.
For further information about Hamilton Primary School visit http://www.hamilton.bham.sch.uk/
You can also read another Drive for Charity Article Here.
Back to newsFirst Responder Charity secures M6toll funding
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported local charity, Burntwood & District Community First Responders with a donation of £1500 through their Drive for Charity In the Community scheme.
Formed in 2010, Burntwood & District Community First Responders, have been a Registered Charity since 3rd January 2014 and cover Cannock, Burntwood, Chasetown, Chase Terrace, Norton Canes, Great Wyrley, Cheslyn Hay and surrounding areas. The charity are totally reliant on donations and grants together with their own fundraising to keep them on the road. This includes purchasing and maintaining both of their response vehicles and buying uniform. The funding awarded will enable the charity to issue safety helmets to the charities existing responders and new recruits.
Community First Responders (CFR’s) are volunteers, who respond to emergency 999 calls for the ambulance service. They are trained to a nationally recognised level by the ambulance service and deliver basic life support to patients in cardiac arrest prior to the arrival of the nearest available ambulance resource.
Dan Walsh; Co-ordinator & Trustee at Burntwood & Cannock Chase CFR’s said; “This funding means so much to our team and will enable us to purchase equipment to keep our responders safe.”
Jo Brett, M6toll’s Drive for Charity Scheme Co-ordinator added: “We’ve had the pleasure of supporting Burntwood & District Community First Responders for many years now, including the provision of free passage on the M6toll, enabling them to reach emergencies quicker. We were particularly keen to support this project, enabling the team to continue doing the great work they do safely”.
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit the Drive for Charity page.
For further information about Burntwood & District Community First Responders visit www.burntwoodcfr.org.uk
You can also read another Drive for Charity Article Here.
Back to newsM6toll funds lifesaving First Aid Kits to Local Charity
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported local charity, DocBike Staffordshire with a donation of £1500 through their Drive for Charity In the Community scheme.
The DocBike charity combines a highly qualified (consultant level) doctor or critical care paramedic with two wheels with the aim of reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads due to motorcycle collisions. Wherever possible, this doctor or paramedic also works on the local air ambulance. It is part of their every-day job, to treat and save the most severely injured and sick patients and help them to reach hospital alive.
Working together with emergency services all across the UK, it is the aim of the charity to have a DocBike associated with every air ambulance charity around the country. They are a new charity, but the enthusiasm of local bikers, colleagues in the Emergency Services and other agencies throughout the UK means that they are expanding rapidly.
As part of their life saving work, they have set up a course in Staffordshire called Biker Down, this is presented in 3 modules by emergency service staffwhich comprisesmanaging the scene of an incident, how to keep someone alive until the ambulance arrives and how to avoid being knocked of your bike. Biker Down is a FREE course which attracts many motorcyclists and they are all very eager to learn how to keep themselves and fellow bikers safe. The donation from the M6toll will allow DocBike to provide a first aid kit to motorcyclists that is small enough to fit on a motorcycle but capable of helping to save a life.
DocBike Staffordshire is led by Carol Close, who after the loss of her own son Luke in a motorcycle crash in August 2019 decided she wanted something positive to come from her tragedy.. After lots of hard work and dedication DocBike Staffordshire now have a motorcycle donated by Staffordshire Police, a doctor and a medic and a fabulous support team who give their time voluntarily. They are determined to save lives through, engagement, education and roadside critical care. Carol said; “2021 will see DocBike Staffordshire #LukesLegacy educating motorcyclists through a Biker Down course. Thanks to the M6toll for funding first aid kits that will assist in saving lives until emergency services arrive. With the knowledge gained from the course together with the tools provided by the first aid kits we can make a difference.”
Jo Brett, MEL Social Committee Member said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Biker Down course with First Aid Kits for motorcyclists. Road Safety is extremely important to us as an organisation so we were very keen to support this initiative with DocBikes which could potentially help to save lives.”
MEL’s donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Committee is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit Drive for Charity.
For further information on DocBike Staffordshire, please visit: Staffordshire – DocBike
Discover More of our Drive for Charity Work Here.
Back to newsM6toll Supports Buddy Bag Foundation
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported local charity, The Buddy Bag Foundation based in Sutton Coldfield with a donation of £1500 through their Drive for Charity In the Community scheme.
The Buddy Bag Foundation was created in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home. Restoring a sense of safety and security into a child’s life during a traumatic time is one of the first steps to recovery. By providing children with a few essential items, The Buddy Bag Foundation help make the transition into emergency care a little easier.
To support children in this situation the Buddy Bag can provide comfort when all else has been removed. A Buddy Bag is a backpack that contains all the essential items a child needs. They include toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear. They also include comfort items such as a book, a photo frame and a teddy bear. A Buddy Bag is something a child can call their own, no matter where they go.
Karen Williams, CEO/Founder BBF said; “Thank you to the M6toll for supporting the Buddy Bag Foundation. Their kind funding of £1500 has provided 60 Buddy Bags and made a difference to 60 children in Midlands based emergency accommodation, providing a little bit of comfort and something that the children can call their own. The Buddy Bags were packed at our Festive Buddy Bag Brigade on 17th December 2020 to celebrate our 30,000 Buddy Bag and 5th Anniversary.”
Jo Brett, MEL Social Committee Member said: “It was a real pleasure to support The Buddy Bag Foundation with their Festive Buddy Bag Brigade. We hope that our funding can help support local children and provide them with some comfort during difficult times.”
MEL’s donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Committee is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit our Drive for Charity page.
For further information on The Buddy Bag Foundation, please visit: Buddy Bag Foundation. Alternatively, discover more of the Great Work Funded By Drive For Charity Here.
Back to newsM6toll Backs Bags for Brummies Campaign
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have backed the Birmingham campaign ‘Bags for Brummies’ for a third year by providing a donation of £500 through their Drive for Charity In the Community scheme.
You can Read About the 2019 Campaign Here.
Organised by Birmingham-based charity LoveBrum, the ‘Bags for Brummies’ campaign will work a little differently this year due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, due to the government’s guidelines, the team have decided to forgo their usual bag packing sessions. Instead, they have partnered with Hope Revolution and together have created an online store with an array of essential items available to purchase. Supporters of the scheme can now browse the items needed, place an order and Hope Revolution will deliver the bags directly to those in need.
Ian Brown, Corporate Partnership Manager at Love Brum said: “This year it’s more important than ever to help and support the city’s homeless community as much as we can. Our Bags For Brummies campaign will provide essential items to the homeless and help them get through the coldest, hardest time of the year. For 2020, we’ve adapted our Bags for Brummies campaign, but the aim is still the same – spread a little cheer during these dark and cold winter months.
Ian added “From everyone here at LoveBrum, we would like to say a huge thank you to the M6toll for their donation to the campaign. The M6toll have been fantastic supporters over the years and we are so grateful for their continued love for Brum!”
Jo Brett, MEL Social Committee Member said: “We are delighted to support Bags for Brummies again this year. These winter months will be extremely tough for those living on the streets, after such a challenging year we are so pleased that this great initiative can go ahead and we hope the bags will provide a little comfort this festive season.”
MEL’s donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Committee is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit our Drive for Charity page.
For further information on Bags for Brummies, please visit: www.hope-revolution.org/lovebrum
And, to read more about our work in the community, Click Here.
Back to newsM6toll support Free Radio ‘Mission Christmas’ campaign
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have given their support to Free Radio’s, Cash for Kids, ‘Mission Christmas’ campaign by providing a donation of £500 through their Drive for Charity In the Community scheme.
The donation will be used to deliver some Christmas magic to as many local Children as possible whose families have really struggled during this challenging year.
It’s been a difficult year for so many people, and Christmas is going to be particularly
tough for many families. This sadly means there are many children who are at-risk of
having no presents to open on Christmas morning. So again, this year, Free Radio want to give Santa a helping hand and deliver some magic to as many of these children as they can.
Tom Reeves, Charity Fundraising Executive & Official Assistant Elf said “Mission Christmas aims to get gifts to those thousands of disadvantaged local children who would otherwise wake up with nothing & it simply cannot happen without the support of our local community. We are immensely grateful to Midland Expressway Ltd for their generosity in what has been a hugely troubling year for all.”
Joanne Brett, MEL Social Committee Member added: “Christmas will feel very different for everyone this year, but we want to do our bit and help make Christmas that little bit more special for local Children. This is a great campaign and we are so pleased to be able to support Free Radio, Cash for Kids with delivering Mission Christmas”.
More information on the Free Radio, Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ campaign can be found at freeradio.co.uk/mission.
MEL’s donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Committee is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit our Drive for Charity page.
You can read more about Our Work With Charities Here.
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