KCOM has announced the nine community groups to be shortlisted for its latest round of community grants.
The nine, which come from across Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, will now face a public vote to see which ones will win up to £1,000 towards their cause.
This month, KCOM has increased the number of winners who will receive the grant from the usual three to four – meaning each group has even more reason to mobilise their supporters to vote for them.
The shortlisted nine are: Anlaby Allotments Association, Hornsea Town Walking Football Club, Beverley St Nicholas School, Barton Junior Football Club, Barrow Methodist Church, Brigg Arts & Culture Centre, One Off Productions, Hull Trinity House and Hull Council of Disabled People.
KCOM’s CEO, Dale Raneberg said: “It was a particularly difficult decision for our panel to narrow down the entries into a shortlist this time because there are so many great groups wanting to take part.
“That’s why we’ve increased the size of the shortlist from six to nine groups and will be giving four grants this month rather than the usual three. There are so many organisations and local groups doing invaluable work in their communities that we wanted to give as many as possible the chance to win the money. I’d now urge as many people as possible to vote for their favourite to help them over the finish line.
“We received a record number of votes for the last round of grants and we know that competition is fierce. Whichever groups win, I know the work they do will make a lasting impact on the communities they serve. Good luck to everyone taking part.”
Voting for the competition is now open and runs until Friday 16 July. You can vote online here.
Among the entrants Anlaby Allotments Association hope to improve security of their site in Hull; Barton Juniors are planning to invest in new equipment and training sessions for their young footballers; and Hull Trinity House hope to buy expedition equipment for students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.
The money could help Hornsea Town Walking Football club continue with its sessions for older players; Barrow Methodist Church would use it to make their community meeting rooms more welcoming; and Brigg Arts & Culture Centre would invest in a projector screen to help host community cinema nights for the area.
Finally, Hull Council of Disabled People would like a grant to buy gardening equipment to help maintain gardens for the elderly and vulnerable; Beverley St Nicholas School would use the money to improve its school library; and One Off Productions would like kit including a portable keyboard for use by its touring troupe to entertain care home residents.
Previous winners of the grants include Bosom Family Support, which used their windfall to update their centre near Scunthorpe, and Tweendykes special needs school, which bought new musical instruments for its children with its cash.
To find out more about the Community Grants finalists and to vote for your favourite, please click here.