GoFibre-GoFurther-Fund-launch-in-Northumberland
Edinburgh-based UK alternative network ISP GoFibre, which is building a new gigabit broadband (FTTP) network across parts of remote rural Scotland and Northern England, has today announced that they’ve expanded the availability of their GoFurther charity fund to North Northumberland for the very first time.
The GoFurther Fund currently offers grants of up to £3,000 to help local charity projects and community organisations in the regions of Aberdeenshire, Angus, Fife, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders etc. But they’ve now added North Northumberland to that list, where local projects will be able to apply for a slice of the £15,000 allocated to that region.
NOTE: GoFibre previously aimed to cover 500,000 premises by around the end of 2025 (so far they’ve reached 120,000 premises in 30 locations) and is supported by an investment of £164m from Gresham House (here). The operator also holds the Project Gigabit contracts for Teesdale (Lot 4.01) and North Northumberland (Lot 34.01), which are worth £12.64m in state aid.
Key projects supported to date, by the fund, include education and employability initiatives for young people, as well as efforts to help tackle loneliness and social isolation and after-school support activities designed to empower young people from all backgrounds. For organisations in GoFibre’s build area who wish to apply, more information on the funding criteria and how to apply is available at gofibre.co.uk/gofurtherfund.
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As above, GoFibre are currently rolling out their FTTP network across North Northumberland, both commercially and as part of their Project Gigabit contract. The current build covers areas including Berwick, Wooler, Belford, Seahouses, Beadnell, Bamburgh, Cornhill-on-Tweed, Eglingham, Harbottle, Otterburn and Milfield, as well as Ladykirk and Upsettlington and parts of Coldstream in Scotland
There are currently over 15,000 premises ready for connection in Northumberland, and local residents in those areas are now able to enjoy the benefits of full fibre.
Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre, said:
“We are incredibly excited to bring the GoFurther Fund to North Northumberland. We want to make a positive impact for rural communities and economies, whether that’s through lightning fast broadband or by helping charities with a funding boost, we’ll always step up and play our part.
Having seen the success of some incredible organisations across Scotland, now is the perfect time to bring the GoFurther Fund to the North East and help local groups which some much needed support to create a promising future for the next generation.
I urge any community-based groups or charities, operating in our build area, to apply now.”
Customers of the GoFibre’s network can expect to pay from £26 per month for a 150Mbps (30Mbps upload) package on a 24-month term with an included wireless router, which rises to £41 per month for their top 1,000Mbps (100Mbps upload) plan (these are discounted rates). But take note that the provider adopts a mid-contract price hike policy, which will increase the price you pay by between £2.50 and £3 on 1st December every year.