"MY LATE father was passionate about Grimsby and its people."
These are the words of David Ross as he officially launched the John Ross MBE Community Fund in honour of his late father.
That was back in June 2011 and the months following have seen £50,000 handed to scores of worthy causes in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham – along with the villages in North East Lincolnshire.
John had died in the May of 2011, aged 76, following a fall at his home. He had battled with Parkinson's disease for a number of years.
As is well known, the Ross family had built up the highly successful fishing empire of the same name, founded by John's grandfather Thomas, who moved his family to northern Lincolnshire in the late 1800s. Mr Ross remained in the town, taking over the business from his father Carl and was also on the board of Cosalt, where he was chief executive.
Following his father's death, David was keen to see the Ross family name live on in the town in a positive way, aiming to help those in the community to improve and move forward.
As a result, the John Ross MBE Community Fund was born.
David said at the time: "With the support of my fellow trustees, it is our intention to award grants to nominated organisations, charities and established groups to help the community improve and move forward. "
Mr Ross' widow Gill, David's stepmother, has also helped to oversee the fund, and has been present to award the majority of the cheques to worthy organisations and causes.
At the time of the launch, she said: "John's ethos was always that if he could help somebody along the way either with advice, kindness and in some cases financially, he would always endeavour to do so. I am so proud of being able to follow in some small way in his footsteps and if this fund can achieve that then the name of John Ross MBE lives on."
As part of the recognition of the work done and to further support the communities of North East Lincolnshire, the fund is headline sponsor of the very first Grimsby Community Awards.
The local committee is also using the awards night tomorrow as an opportunity to highlight the good work that has been carried out as a result of grants awarded and to ask for other organisations and committees within North East Lincolnshire to apply for grants of between £250 and £1,000.
Grimsby Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor has helped to organise the local committee and said: "Over the past two-and-a-half years it has been an absolute pleasure to be able to assist in the organisation of this fund and to see the help that so many charity organisations and groups have received.
"Now the local committee is keen that we look for other worthy causes, there are so many out there – sporting groups, especially those that help the young, drama and leisure groups and those that assist the elderly – they could all benefit."
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