#GiveLoveLeeds: Leeds volunteers celebrate £60,000 cash injection

A range of businesses from around the city, including main supporter John Lewis Leeds, contributed to The Leeds Fund, which was launched with backing from the Yorkshire Evening Post in June as a way to give extra help to community groups across our city.

Yesterday, a celebration was held at Leeds’ new John Lewis store as 29 projects received the first #GiveLoveLeeds grants of between £900 and £2,500 to develop skills and bring more people together.

Burmantofts Senior Action (BSA) has received £1,375 to put on afternoon tea dances and games for its members.

Manager Melanie Ndzinga said: “We are really, really grateful for the support. It’s a real boost for us to know that they are aware of our groups and interested in what we are doing.”

Member Violet Craig, 73, is looking forward to dancing to some Dean Martin tunes. She said: “I’m over-happy! It’s really somewhere for us oldies to go. If it was not for that, I would be at home.”

And Harehills English Language Project, whose students include refugees, can now afford to employ a second paid worker for its creche. Project co-ordinator Celia Roberts said: “It really does make a big difference to our students, many of whom live in very challenging circumstances.”

Nigerian Community Leeds was handed £2,500 to for its EXCEL @ NCL programme. This helps to educate four to 16-year-olds with extra-curricular sessions in maths, English and cultural day trips.

Representative James Adesanlu said: “Being given the grant will allow us to be 
more effective in what we are doing.

“Some of the children have just come from overseas and are finding it difficult to integrate.”

A large proportion of the £60,000 fund, managed by Leeds Community Foundation, was provided by John Lewis in Leeds. Head of the branch James Prince said: “We were really impressed by the quality of applications received from projects across the city.

“This process has provided us with a real insight into local communities and the vibrant and diverse projects which serve local people.”

LCF chief executive Sally-Anne Greenfield added: “We are extremely grateful to John Lewis Leeds for their support with this programme and delighted that we have been able to support an array of smaller community projects that provide vital services.”

THE 29 GROUPS RECEIVING FUNDING

Aspiedent

Battle Scars

Beete Din

Better Action for Families

Black Health Initiative

Bramley Bosom Buddies

Burmantofts Senior Action

Get Technology Together

Growing Better CIC

Happy Chinese Families

Happy Global Families

Harehills Churches Christmas Day Dinner Project

Harehills English Language Project (H.E.L.P.)

Harmony

Hobbies Together

Hunslet Churches Together Initiative

Killingbeck Allotment Association

Leeds Bike Mill

Middleton Community Bowling Club

Middleton Minstrels Community Choir

More Than a Coffee Morning

Nigerian Community Leeds

Project Hope Leeds

Rags to Riches

Sanskar (Ethos)

Saxton Gardens Residents Association

Stitch Up CIC

Syrian Community

Tea and Tolerance