Community sport and activity groups in need of cash could find help is at hand from local funds.
The Cumbria Playing Fields Association has funding of up to £250 available for small sports groups and sports activities around the county. Applications from any type of voluntary group are welcome, including local recreational organisations, sports clubs, play organisations or parish councils; the funding can be to support any type of small sports and physical activity project around the county.
Cumbria Playing Fields Association is financed by the county council, district councils, parish councils, local sports organisations and other private and public bodies around the county.
It has been giving grants for over 50 years and has already supported hundreds of local organisations. Most recently it has awarded grants to:
- Skelsmergh Bowling Club to allow them to buy a new set of bowls
- Aspatria Town Council, to buy tennis balls, nets and rackets for their newly formed tennis club
- Melmerby Junior Play area committee, who received a small grant towards the costs of creating a community garden from waste ground in the grounds of Melmerby Village Hall.
Cumbria Playing Fields is looking for applications for funding now. You can also get advice and support on how to access alternative sources of funding for larger sports projects.
For more information contact Richard Johnston at Cumbria Sport on 01228 601255 or email richard.johnston@cumbriacc.gov.uk
ENDS
Further information from Richard Johnston, Cumbria Sport on 01228 601255
Notes for Editors
The Cumbria Playing Fields Association is a registered charity which operates through a committee of representatives from the county council, district councils, sports organisations and other local bodies, and encourages the provision of recreational facilities for all age groups in Cumbria, with particular attention being paid to the recreational needs of local and village communities where sports and recreational facilities are few and far between and where money is scarce.
The association gives special attention to the recreational and play needs of children and young people.
It encourages full use of existing facilities and works to help save threatened recreational facilities.
Voluntary organisations may be eligible to receive assistance through one or more of the following:-
- a small grant (usually in the region of £100 - £250) from the association towards low cost schemes (ie below £5000) as direct financial aid.
- advice on other sources of funding for capital or revenue projects.
Applications are assessed and decisions made at the Cumbria Playing Field Panel that meets quarterly.
Funding is generated through a small annual subscription that is made by a large number of parish councils in addition to the county council and district councils as well as other affiliated bodies.
This money is distributed as grants to associations, clubs etc within Cumbria for specific projects in connection with recreational and playing activities.