Community groups receive a helping hand

The Mayor Councillor Ken Jones presented 17 community groups from the borough with cheques of up to £500 at a ceremony held at the Civic Centre on Monday 15 December.

Northfleet Cricket Club, Thames Gateway Women's Multifaith Forum and Family Matters along with other dance, youth, sports and restoration groups benefited from the Community Chest grants provided by Gravesham Borough Council (See the full list of groups in notes to editor).

The groups will be spending the money on a variety of things including setting up exercise programmes for the elderly, construction of a school vegetable garden, sports kits for local sports clubs, a foreign exchange programme for youngsters and tools for maintenance and restoration works.

Lead Member for Community, Councillor David Turner said: "These grants enhance prime community projects in the borough.

"It's nice to be able to help a group that has a great idea; a small cash injection from the council can make a lot of difference to the viability of a scheme.

"We were very impressed with the applications we received and the huge voluntary effort that will ensure success."

Groups in Gravesham applied for the Community Chest grants in two batches during the year.

All the applications were viewed by an independent panel which made recommendations for funding. 

Ends

Notes to editor:

Groups to receive grants are: Woodshed, The Grove Street Dance Club, Northfleet Age Concern, Family Matters, Thames and Medway Canal Association, Don't Sit, Get Fit, Invicta Education Business Partnership, Gravesend Age Concern, Christianfields and Kings Farm Residents Association, Higham Youth Club, Thames Gateway Women's Multifaith Forum, Meopham Country Club, Northfleet Youth Centre, Westcourt Social, Gravesham Borough Allotment and Garden Society, Guru Nanak Basketball, Northfleet Cricket Club.