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Funding available for groups in West Allerdale

Charitable and community organisations in West Allerdale, from Workington to Silloth and inland to Embleton, are eligible to receive up to £15,000 in grant aid from the Robin Rigg West Cumbria Fund. The fund supports activities which contribute to reducing the effects of climate change and benefit the local community.

Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, the fund was set up by E.ON for communities located close to the off shore wind farm in the Solway Firth.

The fund prioritises projects that promote sustainable use of energy, energy efficiency measures and, sustainable use of resources. It also supports nature conservation and addresses other community environmental needs identified in the local community.

Tim Morgan, Cumbria Manager for the Robin Rigg Wind Farm said “Since the Robin Rigg Wind Farm was completed in 2009; over £200,000 has been distributed to help the local community. We have funded energy efficiency measures and a wide range of community groups have benefited from the grant aid.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants and Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation said: “Previous grants made from the Robin Rigg West Cumbria Fund have supported a number of different groups in the area. Maryport Inshore Rescue was recently awarded funding towards a rain water harvesting system. Workington Playgoers’ Group received a grant for the installation of a heating system and solar panels which has cut costs and reduced the building’s carbon footprint.”

Applications can be submitted via the Foundation’s website and must be received by Friday 20th December for a decision on 22nd January 2013.

Cumbria Community Foundation Grant Recipients Receive Prestigious Honours

Two people at the heart of organisations the Community Foundation has supported  with grants  have today been acknowledged as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.  Jimmy Lettice and Stella Howarth received awards for the remarkable work they have done for the community.

The ceremony was conducted on Thursday 7th November by Lord-Lieutenant Claire Hensman. Stella, Chairman of Allerdale Disability Association was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to the disabled. Stella has been a volunteer for the organisation for more than 20 years.

Cumbria Community Foundation has made over £100,000 in grants to the Association since 2002.  These have been used for building security, expansion of information services and staffing costs among many other projects.

Jimmy, Director of Silloth Rugby Union Club received a BEM for services to Silloth. For almost 40 years he has been a valued volunteer at Silloth Rugby Club and in the community.

The Club has received almost £25,000 in funding from the Foundation over ten years.  Grants have been put towards projects including the refurbishment of changing rooms, improving energy efficiency and new equipment for the Club.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive at Cumbria Community Foundation said: “I am delighted that Jimmy and Stella have been recognised for their important work in the community.  They are truly deserving of the awards and I hope the Foundation can continue to support their organisations in the future.  It is particularly nice that they should be presented with their honours by our President, Claire Hensman, the Lord Lieutenant and at Dovenby Hall where the Foundation is based.”

Cumbria Community Foundation is a charity dedicated to meeting community need by grant aiding community and voluntary organisations in Cumbria.  It does with the support of its donors which include local businesses, families and other organisations.

For more information on grants visit our website or contact 01900 825760.

£1,000 Schools Essay Competition Deadline Extended

The deadline for an essay writing competition with a £1,000 prize up for grabs has been extended until Friday 29th November.  The annual challenge is aimed at sixth form students who attend any Cumbrian comprehensive school.  The winning entry will be awarded the generous prize through the Hunter Davies Fund via Cumbria Community Foundation.  Half of the reward will to go to the winning sixth former and the other half will be awarded to their school library.

Cumbria Life magazine will publish the winning essay and Steve Matthews of Bookends and Bookcase in Carlisle will design and publish a book containing 30-40 of the best essays.  It is hoped it will lead to an annual collection of the best essays.  The main purpose of the competition is to encourage young people to use writing skills.

The essay will be titled ‘What I did in my summer hols.’  “Yes, it’s a corny title,” says Hunter Davies who is inaugurating the prize, “but that’s the point. It’s slightly ironic, leaving it open to the student to make of it what he or she wants.  It can be any sort of holiday they have had, at any time, and they can have done nothing but stay in bed all the time, helped their granddad or gone off to Thailand.

“It has to be non-fiction, i.e. based on a real event or experience, as opposed to fantasy or science-fiction, but really all we are looking for is good writing – can they write fluently,  amusingly, interestingly,  structure properly, hold your attention, and most of all make you read to the end.”

Steve Matthews, author, publisher and owner of Bookends and Bookcase in Carlisle and Cumbria Life Editor Richard Eccles will be included in the judging panel headed by Hunter Davies.

Julia Morrison, Corporate Director for Children’s Services at Cumbria County Council said: “I think the competition is a great idea and an enjoyable way to promote writing to young people across the county.  I’m sure Cumbria’s talented young people will make the judges’ job very difficult by inundating them with fantastic essays.”

The competition is being organised by Cumbria Community Foundation. For further information contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 825760 or  take a look at the full details of the rules.

National Trustees Week 2013

We’re celebrating the importance of our Trustees during National Trustees Week. The week runs from Monday 4th until Sunday 10th November and highlights the vital work that Trustees do.

Trustees play an important part in charities, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about the charity’s work.  Our valued Trustees have a significant role in the success of the organisation. Without the support of our Trustees, we would be unable to help the many deserving causes across the county.

Our Trustees come from all different backgrounds and are dedicated to supporting the local community.  Some explain why they give up their time to help the cause:

Willie Slavin, Chair of the West Cumbria Grants Panel said: “The work of CCF has an impact on every community in Cumbria in one way or another. Engaging in the work of CCF is a uniquely rewarding and satisfying way of ensuring that the invaluable work of so many voluntary organisations is sustained.”

 

John Whittle said: “Being a Trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation brings rich rewards in volunteering my skills and knowledge to support the needs of my home county. It also allows me to meet and share that process with many great Cumbrians.”

Rob Cairns, Chair of Barrow Community Trust said: “I am proud to be a Trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation as the organisation seeks to help all worthwhile causes in Cumbria by raising money from local businesses and individuals who truly care about their local communities.  We have a superb tem of staff who ensure that any money donated is used in the best way possible.”

To find out more about becoming a Trustee or to check for vacancies, visit the Cumbria CVS website.