Community fund hits £200,000 cash milestone

The Community Action Fund (CAF), now in its fourth year, allows local groups and projects whose work benefits their local area and supports Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw’s policing priorities to bid for grants of up to £2,500.

Since being re-elected in May, the commissioner has approved 10 grants worth £22,200 to support projects on the Fylde coast.

The latest successful applicants include a range of projects, from providing music lessons to vulnerable young people to steer them away from crime to sporting activities to help people suffering from mental health problems.

Mr Grunshaw said: “My Community Action Fund has gone from strength to strength over the last three years and has now helped more than 120 projects right across Lancashire.

“I am delighted with the success of the scheme so far, which has made a real difference to lives of residents by supporting efforts to tackle crime and re-offending, protect vulnerable people and support victims of crime.

“There is still more than £30,000 on offer for organisations who meet the criteria for the scheme, details of which are on my website, and I would encourage interested groups to get in touch and apply.”

The latest successful applicants to the scheme include Fylde Sports Trust, which got £2,400 to run a six-week diversionary activity project across various parks in Blackpool, The AFC Fylde Community Foundation, which also got £2,400, to provide young people with diversionary activities in the Fylde area over the summer holiday period, and Blackpool Music School, which got £2,500 to provide music tuition to vulnerable young people.

Apply by calling 01772 412733.