Council awards over £22,000 to community projects

8.27.41pm GMT Mon 17th Mar 2008

• OVER £22,000 will be donated to 10 community projects in the latest round of payouts from Richmond Council's Initiatives Fund.

The money will support the work of groups in five priority areas across the borough. The awards are all match-funded and were approved by the Council Leader, Cllr Serge Lourie. The Initiatives Fund will be replaced by a new small grants scheme in the spring but groups are still being urged to apply for cash before the end of March.

Cllr Lourie said: "The projects we fund have a big impact on the lives of people in the local community and I am delighted that we are able to support ten more in our priority areas. The Initiatives Fund was set up to help community organisations across the borough, which carry out their own fundraising but need extra financial assistance. In the months ahead the fund will change as we transform the way we finance the borough's excellent voluntary and community sector. However, the Council's commitment to supporting these superb groups will continue."