EAST Lancashire’s bishop has added his backing to a Lancashire Telegraph campaign to distribute £250,000 to groups across the area.

Earlier this week, the Lancashire Telegraph launched its Community Cash Awards in conjunction with the Big Lottery Fund.

Now community groups can bid for grants of between £10,000 and £30,000, with Telegraph readers deciding who gets the money.

Bishop of Burnley and acting Bishop of Blackburn the Rt Rev John Goddard said he was delighted to see the initiative being launched in the area.

He said: “In these difficult times for people across the East Lancashire area it is heartening to see such an initiative being launched by the Lancashire Telegraph.

“It could make a genuine difference to all kinds of community groups, many of whom may be struggling to keep going due to lack of funds, but which continue to deliver an important service.

“It is also great to see the Telegraph, as the all-important local community newspaper, taking its responsibilities to its readers seriously and working with The Big Lottery Fund to make the region a brighter place.”

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle says he is also backing the campaign.

He said: “I think it is a fantastic idea and it is really good that the local newspaper is giving this money to local towns.

“I hope there will be many applications from the Burnley area.”

WHO CAN APPLY?

To apply for a grant you will neet to be a community group, not for profit group, parish     or town council, health body  or school. You do not have to be  a registered charity to apply.
Groups must have a bank account that requires at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal and you must be in a position to use the grant within a year.
Your project needs to be working within the readership area of the Lancashire Telegraph, East Lancashire.

TIMESCALES

The application form is straightforward and needs to be submitted by Sunday, July 21. From September 9, a shortlist of the best ideas will be revealed in the Lancashire Telegraph and every day for two weeks readers will have the chance to vote for the projects they would like to see get the cash. The projects with the highest votes will be awarded the funding until all £250,000 of the Big Lottery Fund money has been spent.The winners will be announced week of 30 September 2013.