Fylde business awards in Â£15,000 charity donations

And the organisation, the BIBAs Foundation, which was established by the Be Inspired Business Awards, is supporting two projects in Blackpool.

The BIBAs open for nomination next Tuesday to find this year’s entrepreneurial talent across the Fylde coast and county, but in the meantime bosses have confirmed the foundation is supporting seven initiatives in the county which aim to boost employability skills, help establish new businesses and provide opportunities for young people.

It is the latest round of grants awarded by the body which offers grants of up to £5,000 available to 16-24 year olds and organisations supporting them.

The foundation is backed by BAE Systems, the defence, aerospace and security group which employs around 10,000 people at its military aircraft business in the county, which also supports the Most Inspiring Young Person category at the awards.

David Holmes, Manufacturing Director at BAE Systems Air, confirmed the company had agreed to sponsor the BIBAs Foundation for another year and would continue to chair the body which selects its successful applications.

He said: “During the past six months, I have been fortunate enough to visit some of the groups which have been successful in applying for grants from the BIBAs Foundation.

“When I saw the great work which is being done a result of this funding, I knew that this type of support from our business was crucial to improving the opportunities for young people in Lancashire.

“As a business we believe in investing in our people throughout their time with us and this is a philosophy which is shared by organisations like the BIBAs Foundation.”

The latest round of successful applications will see the BIBAs Foundation support initiatives including a young Blackpool-based entrepreneur setting up an acrobatics dance academy and a project which encourages youngsters in Blackpool to discover their artistic sides.