The latest recipients of financial support from the company that runs one of the country’s biggest windfarms off the Cumbrian coast have been announced.
Ørsted has awarded £268,544 in the latest support from the Walney Extension Community Fund bringing the total shared in 2024 to £570,849.
Among recipients are St Mary’s Hospice who have received almost £25,000 to deliver a two-year project to develop a sustainable, early intervention bereavement support programme in Millom, Furness and across the South Lakes.
“Supporting the development of Bereavement Champions is essential to building a compassionate and resilient community where no one has to face loss alone,” Lynsey Lawson, compassionate communities team lead at St Mary’s Hospice, said.
“Bereavement Champions help bridge the gap between isolation and connection, offering comfort to those in need and strengthening our neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools and the community as a whole.
“We are so very grateful for the generosity of the Walney Extension Community Fund in helping us to not only support those coping with loss but also to cultivate a lasting culture of care and resilience for generations to come.”
Since the fund launched in 2016, 276 projects in coastal communities in Cumbria and Lancashire have shared £5,127,269 through the main Walney Extension Community Fund and its dedicated STEM Skills Fund.
Fifteen organisations have been awarded funding in the latest round of funding sharing over £268,544.
Emma Toulson, head of stakeholder relations for Ørsted, said: “What a fantastic year for the Walney Extension Community Fund. We’re so proud to have supported over 30 projects in 2024, and hope 2025 brings more brilliant applications.”
Organisations awarded grants from the latest round of funding are:
- Cumbria CVS, South Lakes & Furness – £27,458
- Heysham Jubilee Institute – £7,000
- Arnside Parish Council (Playground Working Group), Memorial Field Playground – £5,000
- Shireshead & Forton Cricket Club – £19,035
- Marsh Community Centre Charitable Company, Youth Work Provision – £35,706
- Friends of The Roods, New Playground and Access Works at Roods Playing Field – £19,000
- Friends of Winchester Field & Nature Area, Woodland and Park Improvements – £9,360
- Barrow & District Disability Association – £24,000
- Walney Cents Rugby Club, Solar Saver – £8,000
- Strawberry Fields Training, Mental Health Support (Lancaster area) – £24,755
- Ulverston Ford Park Community Group, Community Room – £20,000
- Arnside Educational Institute – £3,500
- Fleetwood Cricket & Sports Club – £30,900
- Allithwaite Playing Fields & Community Centre Association, Solar Panels – £10,000
- The Hospice of St Mary of Furness, Bereavement Community Champions – £24,830
The fund is made possible by Ørsted which has constructed one of the world’s largest operational offshore wind farms, Walney Extension, off Walney Island.
Each year, around £600,000 will be made available for community projects for the expected 25-year lifetime of the wind farm.
The next closing date for applications is January 10 2025.
For full details about the fund and how to apply https://grantscape.org.uk/fund/walney-extension-community-fund/
