Small grants make a big difference
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
25/03/2008
Celebrations for 72 local groups.
Seventy two local voluntary sector and community groups are jumping for joy after being offered £105,000 worth of small grants between them under an innovative Council scheme called Fast Track.
The council set aside the money to help the many voluntary and community groups that work in the borough as a mark of appreciation for the valuable work that they do in the community. Groups were invited to apply for small grants of up to £5,000 and the response to the Council was overwhelming.
This year’s set of awards follow hot on the heels of last year’s successful inaugural Fast Track scheme which saw 70 voluntary and community groups winning small grants. Last year’s grants helped groups to pay for projects ranging from activities for children, older and disabled people to local heritage, environmental or crime reduction schemes.
The Fast Track scheme is part of a £4.2 million pot which has been divided between local groups. This represents an overall increase of two per cent from the previous year, following the biggest overhaul of grants to the voluntary sector for more than ten years.
Cllr Antony Lillis, Cabinet Member for Community and Children’s Services, said: "I am sure that the small grants that we have awarded will make a real difference to each of these 72 organisations. We were literally overwhelmed by the number of applications and invite all groups who have not been successful this time around to apply when the next Fast Track round is advertised in the summer.
"There are so many groups in the borough who provide wonderful services but struggle to pay for particular projects or activities. I am sure that the money we are offering will make their lives a little easier."
Amongst the main winners this time around are Action Trust for the Blind who received £4,400 and the Lillie Road five-a-side football club which received £4,000. Also receiving £4,000 was deafPLUS.
Lesley Thomas, treasurer of the Lillie Road five-a-side football league, said: "We would like to thank H&F for awarding us £4,000. This money will help us with the day-to-day running of the league. This year, we would like to help some of the smaller clubs to achieve level one coaching. Most of the clubs are managed by parents and not professional coaches. It costs £168 to achieve level one status over eight weeks so this grant will help to pay for that.
"Lillie Road five-a-side football league has been running for over 45 years and with the support of H&F we hope to be running for another 45 years or more."
Also in the money were organisations such as the Children and Women’s Trust, Ravenscourt Park Bowls Club, the Eritrean Social Community and the H&F Neighbourhood Watch Association.
