By Chris Poole
PHILANTHROPY
When he inherited £100,000, David Clarke decided to let 12 strangers give the money away. Clarke brought together 12 people from Liverpool’s L8 postcode, in a project called Wealth Shared. The strangers met for four two-hour sessions, where they debated how to use the money.
L8 is in Liverpool Riverside, the 37th most deprived constituency in England. The total median income is £7,000 lower than the national average. Participants had seen wealth disparities first-hand, from boarded-up buildings to rough sleepers. They also knew the reputation of local charities and organisations working to address these issues.
Wealth Shared recently revealed how the 12 participants gave the money away.
They split the funds between four local organisations: £25k each to The Florrie community centre; The Dingle, Granby and Toxteth (DGT) Collaborative – a network of schools; the Team Oasis children’s charity and the Granby and Toxteth Development Trust.
The money could prove vital to the DGT Collaborative. Headteachers in the group’s schools say they have “never known” such financial pressure. Food banks on school premises have seen a surge in demand and the schools are providing extra meals to children who would otherwise go hungry. Staff have resorted to whip-rounds to cover rising utility costs.
The headteachers say t
