#GIVELOVELEEDS: Hunt is on for worthy causes in round two of grant giveaway

Give Love Leeds Grants Awards, John Lewis Store..Pictured from left are Oluwole Oridupa (Nigerian Community Leeds), Zoe Parker (Tea and Tolerance), Melanie Ndzinga (BSA Leeds), James Prince (Store manager), Sally- Anne Greenfield (Leeds Community Foundation), Violet Craig (BSA Leeds), Celia Roberts (Harehills Community Leeds) and James Adesanlu (Nigerian Commuity Leeds...5th October 2016 ..Picture by Simon Hulme

The Leeds Fund, which aims to create a city of opportunity for all through the distribution of small and large #GiveLoveLeeds grants to worthy causes across Leeds, is now welcoming applications for its second round of funding giveaways.

Run by the Leeds Community Foundation, the YEP-backed charitable fund, launched in June, is supported by kind-hearted organisations across the city and aims to raise £500,000 per year from 2020 to help community groups and organisations flourish and thrive.

Each year the fund will have a different strategic focus. This year the focus was on mental health, and in October more than £60,000 was dished out to 29 different projects.

Round two of the #GiveLoveLeeds grants fund will be focussed on strengthening interpersonal relationships. A LCF spokesman said: “Our relationships can define us through our connections with others, and loneliness can cause as much harm to our health as smoking.

“We are looking for projects that seek to strengthen existing relationships and/or give individuals the tools to create healthy relationships.”

Projects could be focussed around families, young people or vulnerable groups.

Nicola Furbisher, YEP Editor, said: “We have been on board with the #GiveLoveLeeds grants scheme from the beginning and are delighted to support such a worthwhile cause.

“The projects that round two of the scheme is looking to support could be any that help to boost relationships within Leeds, whether that is around helping to navigate a change to the family unit, tackling the issue of bullying or working with people with learning disabilities to develop healthy relationships. I look forward to seeing how this wonderful scheme helps our communities continue to flourish.”

The deadline for applications is January 20, 2017. Successful applicants should be informed by mid-March 2017. Visit www.leedscf.org.uk/theleedsfund-giveloveleeds