Launch of second year of Fund addressing hidden needs of the Harrogate District opens for applications boosted by Local Lotto

In the inspiring setting of Ripon Cathedral and in front of the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, the Mayor of Harrogate, the Deputy Mayor of Boroughbridge and the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Dean John welcomed guests to celebrate the opening of THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District and the first anniversary of the Local Lotto.

Guests from local charitable organisations  heard from Cllr Sam Gibbs, chair of the Harrogate Borough Council Voluntary and Community Sector Liaison Group and Gary Campeljohn, Treasurer of Ripon AFC football club. Both Sam and Gary described the difference it makes to have a local fund for groups in the Harrogate District and also the value of the local lotto, even after just twelve months of operation.

Gary said: “Having the support of local funding has made a huge difference to us, we used our LOCAL FUND award last year to improve our changing rooms and provide better access for our members with restricted mobility. In addition, as a result of signing up to be a good cause for the Local Lotto we have 45 members and got £500 to help us provide kit.”

Harrogate Borough Council has contributed £30,000 this year towards THE LOCAL FUND, which together with funding from the Harry Bolland Trust Fund and other local donors and fundraising means we have over £40,000 to award grants of between £200 and £3000 to local charitable organisations in the Harrogate District. To find out more about the fund please visit https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/fund/tlfharrogate/

The Mayor of Harrogate, Cllr Stuart Martin, assisted by Jan Garrill, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation  thanked everyone for attending and formally opened THE LOCAL FUND for applications.

THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District has been established to provide grant funding to local community groups and charities across the District.  It will focus on addressing local need by supporting the work of community groups and charities whose work is dedicated to improving the lives of local people.

Designed to encourage local giving, it will provide a long-term source of funding support and encouragement to the work of local organisations, regardless of size, tackling social issues that affect local people.

Alongside the fund, THE LOCAL LOTTO provides a fundraising opportunity for local voluntary and community groups, which enables Harrogate residents to support the local organisations they care about most. Money raised through THE LOCAL LOTTO will contribute towards keeping the community sector thriving across the district. THE LOCAL LOTTO is being promoted jointly by the Council and THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District and is being run independently by Lottery Manager Gatherwell.

If you’re interested in supporting local charities and community groups in Harrogate, you can support THE LOCAL FUND by becoming a donor. Please get in touch with the team at Two Ridings Community Foundation by emailing [email protected]

You can also choose to support local charities via THE LOCAL LOTTO, knowing that 60p from every £1 ticket will go directly to the local charity or community group of your choice. Local residents can also choose to support THE LOCAL FUND, and are encouraged to visit THE LOCAL LOTTO website for tickets and further information www.thelocalotto.co.uk

 

Further details about The Local Fund for the Harrogate District and how to apply to be a ‘Friend’ can be found on the Two Ridings Community Foundation website at https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/tlfharrogate or the HARCVS website at https://www.harcvs.org.uk/FriendsTLF