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13 November 2003

Wrexham celebrates as lottery money pours in


Groups in Wrexham and the surrounding area are celebrating this week following the latest announcement of grants by the Community Fund, the Lottery distributor which gives money to voluntary and charitable groups.

Five groups will share a total of £550,074 which will fund a variety of projects and people. The largest of the five awards goes to Wrexham Homework Clubs. They receive £223,893 to fund ten free community based clubs for 8-18 year olds which aim to equip children and young people with enough skills to become independent learners.

Co-ordinator Tom Taylor said, “We are delighted with this substantial award from the Community Fund which will allow us to help youngsters and parents in the Wrexham area who may lack the time and space to concentrate fully on homework and basic skills. The Basic Skills Unit recently noted that every ward in Wrexham has lower literacy and numeracy rates than the national average, so we aim to rectify this with our work in the homework clubs. We also aim to assist many parents whose children attend Welsh medium schools but who may not possess the language skills to help their children.”

The other organisations who benefit from grants are: Relate North Wales who receive £32,446 to fund six youth counsellors based in various schools and colleges and who will help youngsters build a healthy approach to their own future relationships. Advance Brighter Futures, the user led organisation which works with people suffering from mental health problems, receives £124,051 to help individuals manage their illness and to raise awareness of issues within the community which should overcome negative stigma. An award of £169,684 goes to Groundwork Wrexham for an innovative project which aims to improve the skills of individuals and improve their potential for employment whilst enhancing the environment at the same time. The Venture, based on Caia Park estate receive an award of £25,000 to buy a minibus which will transport young people and their families to educational and social activities which will enable them to gain new skills and experiences.

Assembly Member for Wrexham Dr John Marek said, “This is excellent news for Wrexham, I’m very pleased that the Community Fund recognises the need for this money and the excellent work these groups do in their community. All these organisations will use the money well and for the benefit of Wrexham.”

Jeff Carroll, Chair of the Community Fund in Wales added, “Wrexham is one of the five areas in Wales which was identified as not receiving its fair share of lottery funding under the fair share initiative launched in April 2002. The initiative targets funds and resources in those areas with the aim of increasing awareness and producing good quality applications and I’m delighted that Wrexham now seems to be reaping the benefits of the initiative.”


Notes to Editors

1. The Community Fund shares out money raised by the National Lottery to charities and to voluntary and community groups. Out of every £1 spent on the National Lottery the Community Fund gets 4.7 pence.
2. The legal name of the Community Fund remains the National Lottery Charities Board.
3. Since 1995 the Community Fund has awarded over £145 million to groups in Wales. Full details are available on our website at www.community-fund.org.uk


Contact Deian Creunant, Communications Manager on 01686 611705 / 07855 27 67 40 for further information.