Groups in Leeds urged to apply now for piece of £50k cash giveaway

The YEP-backed Sport Relief Community Cash fund offers grants of between £500 and £1,000 to small organisations in Leeds that are doing outstanding work to help local people who are living difficult lives.

The YEP-backed campaign sees grants given out with help from the Leeds Community Foundation, which works alongside Sport Relief to make sure it gets to the groups that need it most.

Local group Streetwise-Love Leeds has applied for the grant for the past five years – receiving a £1,000 cash boost every time.

The group provides food and shelter for homeless people every week, as well as sleeping bags, rucksacks, clothes and hygiene products. The Community Cash funding has meant it can now provide hot meals for those in need.

Alison Beckwith, who set up Streetwise almost six years ago, said: “It gave us a bit of a boost to our funds to allow our money to go further.

“I would definitely encourage people to go for it and apply for Community Cash.

“I think it’s a great resource to be able to invest in the local community and support within the community.”

Victoria Southwell, UK grants manager at Comic Relief, said: “Sport Relief is delighted to be working with the Yorkshire Evening Post and offering Sport Relief Community Cash once again to local groups across Leeds.

“We have funded some truly fantastic work in the local area and we are looking forward to seeing some new groups applying.”

She added: “Thanks to the hard work of these groups, money raised through Sport Relief can get right to the heart of the local community and make a real difference where it is most needed.

“I am urging as many groups as possible to get their applications in now for their chance to get a grant from the £50,000 on offer.”

* To apply or for details, visit www.leedscf.org.uk.

Applications for Community Cash must be received before the deadline of Thursday, February 25.