News joins forces with Sport Relief to hand out grants

Grassroots organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians are to benefit from a £50,000 cash fund thanks to Sport Relief and the Edinburgh Evening News.

With Olympic fever set to sweep the UK this summer, grants of £500 to £1000 are to be made available to small groups working to help people living tough lives.

Last year saw the News team up with Red Nose Day organiser Comic Relief to promote the Community Cash scheme, which allocated grants to deserving causes.

One of the organisations to benefit was Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland, based at Rutland Square, which received a £995 grant.

The cash allowed Cruse to train one of its volunteers in supporting children, and Cruse administrator Lynda Keay said: “If we hadn’t got the grant we might not have been able to train someone for this crucial service. This kind of support is so positive – we obtain all of our money through fundraising or through grants. Bereaved children across Edinburgh will be in good hands.”

Penicuik-based Engross Theatre Group, which produces educational plays for special schools, also benefited from the Community Cash scheme to the tune of £994. “We can’t function without grants of this kind,” said co-founder Yvonne Moore. “We are a charity so we are totally dependent on successful funding applications. These schemes are vital to groups like us, and hugely beneficial to the children.”

Other groups which benefited from Community Cash were the Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust, which received £1000 and Calton Welfare Services Project which received £920.

Evening News editor Tom Little said: “We at the News are delighted to be supporting this project for the second year.

“In difficult economic times these grants could help provide a lifeline to community projects in our city – and through them to people in need.”

Sue Wicks, UK grants manager for Comic Relief said: “We are delighted to be working with the Evening News and offering Sport Relief Community Cash for the second time to local groups in Edinburgh.

“We funded some truly fantastic projects in the city last year, and are looking forward to seeing some new groups applying this time. 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.”

Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne, who is backing Sport Relief, said: “Sport Relief is giving you the chance to get your hands on a Sport Relief Community Cash grant. The fund is open to community groups and organisations doing incredible work in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians and I want you to apply right now before it’s too late.”

You can do your bit by entering the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Edinburgh on Sunday, March 25. The closing date for applications is March 16. Visit www.scottishcf.org/srcommunitycash to apply.