Last year the Cash for Kids Sports Challenge granted over £16,000 to four local children’s sports groups across Cumbria and applications are now open for this year’s competition.
The fundraising challenge is aimed at groups providing sports and fitness activities for children up to 18 years who have a disability or come from underprivileged backgrounds. The groups who apply will be actively supporting equal opportunities for all children regardless of ability or circumstance. Cash for Kids want to hear in particular from those who have schemes in places to support children without the funds to attend such activities, and those who aim to keep kids in a safe and fun environment off some of our vulnerable streets.
Cash for Kids will be looking for 10 groups from Cumbria and South West Scotland to take part in a 5 week fundraising challenge at the end of September and throughout October. Groups will compete against each other to raise as much money as possible through events, challenges and collections. Each group gets to keep all of the money they raise to fund new equipment, sports kit, update facilities, and recruit new members.
Cash for Kids will then match fund this amount up to £1,000, giving them the opportunity to receive a grant of at least £2000. The team who raise the most funds, will receive an additional £1,500, plus there are four special awards where another £500 can be won for each category.
In total, CFM Cash for Kids hope to grant over £23,000 back in to the local sporting community to aid clubs who need the additional support.
2018 Finalist and Club Coach Dale Blaylock from Wigton Amateur Boxing Club said: “The funding from the Sports Challenge helped save our club and gave us vital money to be able to buy new equipment for our young children that range from 7 to 16 year old. It also gave our club some much needed publicity through our various social media accounts, boosting the profile of our club in the local and surrounding areas, in which we seen an increase in membership around that period.
“I would recommend any sports club to apply for this great project, as it not only could bring much needed funding for their group, but also brings the whole club together as a team for their chosen sports and groups.”
Last year’s finalists included the Cumberland Football Association, Wigton Amateur Boxing Club, Carlisle Reivers Pan Disability Football and winners Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Group who received £6,613 to fund a new minibus.
To qualify for the Sports Challenge, sports groups must demonstrate their aim to help children up to and including the age of 18 years who are ill, disabled or disadvantaged. Favourable consideration will be given to those projects which directly benefit a large number of children and/or positively increase the quality of their lives.
The application window is now open until Sunday 15th September and local groups are encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity.
For more information and to apply to take part in the CFM Cash for Kids Charity Sports Challenge please visit www.cfmradio.co.uk/sportschallenge
