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Mar 2021

Last Updated: 12/03/2021

Grants awarded to 10 Harrogate district charities

by Vicky Carr

| 12 Mar, 2021

The money will help with essential running costs and specified projects, helping them to continue supporting local people despite the pandemic.

Badapple Theatre has been awarded a grant to help it prepare to reopen

Ten charities will receive a share of almost £40,000 in grant funding thanks to The Local Fund for the Harrogate district.

The money will help with essential running costs and specified projects, helping them to continue supporting local people despite the pandemic.

Among those to have benefitted is Masham Town Hall Community Charity, which received £3,852 to pay running costs for six months while it is unable to open. Its administrator, Nick Reed, said:

“This grant is vital as it helps us to stay in touch with user groups and hirers as we prepare to reopen. The Local Fund is a wonderful resource as it understands that these costs, while not glamorous, are essential to the running of a small local charity.”

Also benefitting was Badapple Theatre Company, based in Green Hammerton, which received £2,980 to resume live performances when restrictions allow. Artistic director Kate Bramley said:

"We are incredibly grateful for this vital support which contributes to our business overheads and crucially keeps our Youth Theatre services for young people open while we work to rebuild our community events network."

Other grants included £5,000 each given to St Mark's Church to fund Harrogate Food Bank, Samaritans of Harrogate and District for running costs, and to the Wesley Centre to employ an administrator. Harrogate Bowling Club and Harrogate Hospital Radio each received £2,500 towards their costs during the pandemic.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library received £3,525 to fund lending sessions and stay and play events while capacity is limited, while Chain Lane Community Centre has been given £2,885 to meet health and safety requirements.

Having seen a 350% rise in demand for its services during the pandemic, Peer Support at New Beginnings has been given £4,680 to increase staff hours.

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The Local Fund for the Harrogate District is supported by a partnership of Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate and District Community Action and the Two Ridings Community Foundation. It aims to support community groups and charities which are meeting the needs of local people.

Money for the grants has come from the Harry Bolland Fund, The Local Lotto and other sources, along with £30,000 from Harrogate Borough Council. Cllr Sam Gibbs, who chairs the authority's voluntary and community sector liaison group as well as sitting on the Local Fund grants panel, said:

“The Local Fund provides continuous support for our local voluntary and community sector organisations and charities across the Harrogate district and the residents they support.

“It has been an incredibly tough year for them. And now, more than ever, it is critical these charities receive vital funds to ensure they can exist in the future when life returns to normal."

The Local Fund will open in May for applications from local groups looking to restart activities and services as lockdown restrictions are eased. For more information, click here.

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Grants awarded to 10 Harrogate district charities

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