Community and voluntary groups in Lichfield are being given the chance to apply for a festive funding boost.
The We Love Lichfield Fund has launched its Christmas scheme at Fulfen Association, a parents and teachers association attached to Fulfen Primary School in Burntwood.
Lindsay Collis, Joint Chair of the Fulfen Association explained: “We were really excited to hear about the We Love Lichfield Christmas Fund.
“We’ve been working with our children to encourage them to be greener and healthier and ride their bikes to school, and we also want to ease parking congestion around the school. Loads of children have got involved, but we now need some bike racks, so we can safely store the bikes until home time. Fundraising can be really difficult at the moment. We’ll definitely be applying for the We Love Lichfield Christmas Fund, as even a small amount will make a big difference to us and the children.”
Groups will be ably to apply for funding up to £500 until October 31.
Simon Price, Patron of the We Love Lichfield Fund, added: “The We Love Lichfield Fund was launched this summer. We’ve been busily fundraising since it was launched and now have more than £50,000 in the fund. We are aiming to raise over £1 million by 2016, so we can make a real difference by giving out larger grants to community and voluntary groups across the district. But we are also keen to start making a difference straightaway, so we’ve launched the Christmas Fund.”
Organisations can find out if they are eligible and apply online at www.staffsfoundation.org.uk/welovelichfield or call the Staffordshire Community Foundation team on 01782 683000. There will also be help available to fill in the application form as Rose Vakis, Director of the Lichfield and District Community & Voluntary Sector Support (LDCVS), explained: “We know that applying for funding can be tricky, especially as many people who run voluntary and community groups are already giving up so much of their time.
“To help people apply for the grants and fill in the application form, we’ll be holding a drop-in session on October 6 at Mansell House, Bore Street, Lichfield, between 1pm and 5pm. If anyone wants to find out about the session, just call the team at LDCVS on 01543 303030.”