Keep on sailing: CatZero given £50,000 donation by Matthew Good Foundation

GENEROUS: The cheque being presented to CatZero on board its 72-foot yacht. From left, Steph Caley of John Good Group, Michelle Taft of the Matthew Good Foundation, and Pete Tighe from CatZero

By Simon Bristow

A charity which aims to improve people’s lives through sailing has received a £50,000 donation.

CatZero was awarded the money by the Matthew Good Foundation, a charitable trust established in 2011 by the John Good Group.

The pan-Humber sailing charity initially started for young people not in training, education or employment, but has now extended its work to all ages. CatZero provides unique programmes for young people, adults, and whole families across the Humber region.

The funding, to be provided over the next five years, will help support CatZero’s bespoke programmes that combine vocational and team-building skills with mentoring and qualifications valuable in the workplace.

Pete Tighe, CatZero Programme Manager, said: “We are so grateful to the Matthew Good Foundation for supporting us. As a local charity, we are delighted that a key local organisation has recognised our vital work in engaging people of all ages – including whole families, working together to offer new futures. This partnership will support our ambitions and help to deliver our vision. “ 

Michelle Taft, Executive Director of the Matthew Good Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to support CatZero's fantastic work to support people of all ages, often with complex underlying issues, to overcome the barriers that prevent them moving into education, training or employment.

“The Matthew Good Foundation and the John Good Group have a long history in the Humber region and this donation cements our ongoing commitment to support the local area and the communities in which we operate.”

The John Good Group donates a proportion of its profits to the Matthew Good Foundation each year as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting charitable causes.

Michelle Taft, Executive Director of the Matthew Good Foundation and Steph Caley, Company Accountant at John Good Group, presented the cheque to Pete Tighe, Cat Zero's Programme Manager, onboard CatZero's 72-foot yacht, which forms part of CatZero's programme to inspire and raise aspirations.