Make It Happen: Last chance to apply for community grant

The deadline for applications is Tuesday.

This year marks the 12th successive year of the unique funding scheme, a partnership between the Melton Times and Ragdale Hall which aims to help charities and organisations throughout the Melton borough.

Grants of between £200 and £1,000 are typically given out after the judges have decided who should benefit. All types of clubs, groups and organisations in the area are encouraged to bid for a share.

Successful applicants will be invited to a presentation evening at Ragdale Hall on Thursday, December 8.

Here’s some of the applications received so far:

* Asfordby Football Club has asked for £1,000 to purchase an automated external defibrillator for use at its football ground in case of an emergency. Treasuser Sarah Wilson said: “We hear of individuals surviving a cardiac arrest where a defib has been available quickly. Our nearest is a five-10 minute drive away. Hundreds of people use our facilities on a regular basis.”

* Home-Start Leicester, Melton and Rutland would like to get a grant of £500 towards the cost of training new volunteers to support families with at least one child under five, offering 1:1 support in the family home in the Melton and Rutland area.

Organiser Helen Benzie said: “It costs approximately £100 to train each volunteer to cover the cost of their expenses and resources over the course of the eight- week course. We are hoping to train 10 new volunteers in total. Early support can be crucial to some families in preventing them reaching crisis point.”

* Well Being Arts, a group which meets weekly at Kathryn Saunby’s art studio and supports people with mental health problems, would like £500 to pay £10 a week to help keep the art group running, as some of its funding is ending.

Secretary Sam Kitson said: “This will help towards art materials, studio hire and lesson plans every week. This group is a lifeline to many people who are suffering with long-term mental health problems and consequently we are really keen to keep it running. We hope you can help us.”

The group helps 10-12 regular participants.

* Melton & Belvoir School Sport and Physical Activity Network is asking for £900 for ‘Work It Wednesday’, a six-week targeted project for 14- to 25-year-olds to increase their physical activity levels in a social and non-competitive environment.

School sport development manager Clare Marlow said: “On completion of the project, students will be provided with information on each of the fitness classes or sports that they have taken part in and will be invited to a local club/class.”

The grant would benefit around 180 young people.

**How to apply for a grant

There are two ways in which you can apply for a share of the £10,000 pot. You can either write a letter and send it to Make It Happen, Melton Times, 49 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1NT, or fill out an online form.

Whichever method you choose, you must provide the following information:

* Your name;

* The name of your group/club/organisation;

* Your role within the group/club/organisation;

* Your contact number;

* Your email address;

* Your postal address;

* The sum you are applying for;

* A brief description of the project/event you would use the grant for;

* An estimate of how many people the grant would benefit.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, November 8, at 5pm.