The Knaresborough Lions have announced the launch of a Community Fund for 2018. Charities and community organisations from Knaresborough and Nidderdale are invited to apply for funding for specific needs or projects. The Lions also welcome applications from organisations that are based further afield but whose activities benefit the people of Knaresborough and Nidderdale.
In the past there has been a maximum grant of £1000 per organisation, but this year there is no cap on the grant size. The Lions will consider each application on its own merits, and while they cannot guarantee to fund every request, they hope to be able to support a wide range of community needs and projects.
Application forms and guidance notes are available on the Knaresborough Lions website, at http://knaresborough.co.uk/lions-community-fund-2018-launch/, and may be submitted from 1st May 2018. Applications must come from formally constituted organisations and not from individuals.
Completed forms, together with supporting information, should be returned by email or by post, to arrive no later than 5pm on 30 June 2018.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to apply, or if you have any questions about your application, please contact the Knaresborough Lions via the email address on the application form.
The Knaresborough Lions have run a Community Fund in most years since 2012, awarding grants to charities, schools, sports clubs and other community organisations.
Last year’s Community Fund resulted in grants to 13 local organisations for a wide range of community initiatives, including equipment for resuscitation training, outings for young carers, fencing to protect the pond and its wildlife at Jacob Smith Park, and a contribution to buying a new vehicle for the Harrogate Easier Living Project.
Knaresborough Lions also support international and national appeals through Lions Clubs International, helping communities suffering humanitarian disasters, and supporting projects to reduce the incidence of disease and prevent and cure treatable blindness. At the same time, Knaresborough Lions have a rule that a minimum of 80% of all funds raised must be used within the local area.
Meanwhile, all administrative costs are funded by members’ subs and additional donations by members; these go into an administrative fund which is kept separate from the charity fund.
All monetary assistance from the Knaresborough Lions is funded by activities run by the Lions throughout the year, including the feva Beer Festival in August, the mulled wine stall at Knaresborough’s Christmas Market, and of course, the Great Knaresborough Bed Race in June. Local people are incredibly generous in their donations; the Lions experience this at first hand when collecting from door to door with Santa’s sleigh each December. A large amount of financial support also comes from various local organisations that generously sponsor the Bed Race.
This year’s Bed Race will take place on Saturday 9 June. The theme for 2018 is ‘A Night at the Theatre’, and you can expect the usual heady mix of carnival pageantry and serious competition. Look out for race teams who are already practising on the streets of Knaresborough!
More information about the Knaresborough Lions is available on www.knaresborough.co.uk/lions-club, and Bed Race news can be found at https://www.bedrace.co.uk/.
