Calling all community groups: the Eastern Daily Press has an amazing £100,000 to give away in 2016.
Whether you run a youth club, playgroup, lunch club, a scout or guide group, a healthcare club or a heritage group – anyone can apply for money to help a project in our Community Chest giveaway, which is in partnership with the Norfolk Community Foundation.
Amounts from £250 to £2500 will be available each month through the whole year.
Any not-for-profit group in the EDP circulation area of Norfolk, North Suffolk and east Cambridgeshire is eligible to enter.
Representatives from charities across the region came together for a launch event yesterday to hear more about the fantastic opportunity.
EDP editor-in-chief Nigel Pickover told them: 'We hope to do some good and support communities and local people. There is something wonderful about Norfolk and this is a fabulous way to link our region together.
'We want to engender this feeling of togetherness. £250 means a lot to a lot of people and we hope to give out a lot of £250s.'
The Norfolk Community Foundation partnership hopes to bring together communities and provide funding for projects that will improve the lives of people in the region.
Graham Tuttle, chief executive of the Norfolk Community Foundation, said: 'Sharing our passion of supporting local community groups, we believe it is about making a difference. This 50/50 partnership is about walking the walk as well as talking it.'
He told the EDP: 'There are so many charities and organisations that do such valuable work to help build thriving communities – whether they are helping to address poverty and deprivation, improving skills and access to education, or simply bring together local people to enjoy community activities, this fund will make a real difference to causes that matter.'
Charities helping young people, providing support for veterans and sports clubs celebrated the new scheme.
Grainne Buckley, a fundraiser from OPEN Youth Trust, said: 'I think it is a marvellous idea, it integrates the community and it is nice to have the bridge between charities.'
Caroline Bull, from Surviving Together, added: 'It is fun as well as a way of getting funding and charities definitely need it.'
Is your group in need of a new piece of play equipment? A computer? Money for a special outing? EDP Community Chest could be the answer.
In January we'll have a total of £15,000 on offer – so that could mean as many as 60 local organisations could get £250 apiece – although grants can be as much as £2500.
To put yourself in line for a cash boost for your community group, all you need to do is collect tokens printed daily in the EDP, which will start in January. When you have 500, you can put in your application which will be judged by a team of five 'dragons': Nigel Pickover, Graham Tuttle, Archant circulation director Darron Mcloughlin, Paddy Seligman and Julie James.
Cut out the application form on this page and keep it to send with your tokens. You can also find it online at www.edp24.co.uk/communitychest
- Are you planning to apply? Tell us about your plans. Email jemma.walker@archant.co.uk
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