Charles Sykes started his career as a twelve year old office boy, and became a successful businessman in the West Riding knitting wool trade with his own four-storey mill at Princeville, Bradford. He never forgot his roots and pledged that if he ever became wealthy he would help those in distress who had not been as fortunate as himself.
He achieved his life ambition in his eighty-second year when he launched the Charles Sykes Trust on 16 December 1954. He died in 1967 aged ninety-four and his widow Elsie continued his charitable work for which she was awarded the OBE. The Trust was renamed following her death in 1987 in recognition of her considerable contribution.
Who can apply
In order to be eligible for consideration by the Trustees your charity should be based in Yorkshire or benefit Yorkshire directly. If your application relates to a medical project that can benefit any part of the UK then it will still be considered.
Deadline date
The deadline for each meeting is the last Friday in January, April, July and October. Your application will be considered at the meeting following that date.