Brooke backs community grants for young people

11.31.46am GMT Fri 16th Feb 2007

Save The Children are offering grants to help young people improve their local communities

Annette Brooke MP today encouraged young people in Mid Dorset and North Poole to apply for a Save the Children 'here to HELP' award, funded by British Gas. Awards of up to £1,000 are available as well as a small number of grants of up to £3,000 that young people can apply for to improve something in their local community.

Save the Children and British Gas created the 'here to HELP' awards to get young people involved in dynamic and lasting community projects. So far the awards, which have been running for nearly two years, have had a positive impact upon the lives of over 10,000 children in England, Scotland and Wales.

Speaking today Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children, Young People and Families, said:

"This is a great opportunity for young people with ideas to improve their local area. If you are a young person who knows of a real need in your community and has a great idea you should apply for an award."

Save the Children recognise that the health, education and the protection of children and young people are vital in today's society. So the charity is looking to award £1,000 for projects that help address one or more of these issues.

For the £3,000 awards, the charity is specifically looking for project ideas with a clear aim of benefiting the most disadvantaged or marginalised in society. Poor children have less chance of living in adequate housing and getting access to basic services like healthcare and education, and they are more likely to suffer from social discrimination and exclusion. Save the Children wants to help children and young people be active partners in tackling poverty in their communities.

Hannah Couch, Save the Children's 'here to HELP' Project Manager said:

"'here to HELP' is a fantastic opportunity that allows children from a variety of different backgrounds and ethnicities to get involved in projects led by themselves that benefit the community in which they live. For more information or to submit a proposal, please visit the 'here to HELP' website at www.helpyourselves.org.uk."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• HELP Yourselves is being launched under the auspices of the 'here to HELP' programme - a unique partnership between British Gas and six major charities, including Save the Children, to benefit homes and communities across Britain. For more information about HELP Yourselves visit the website www.helpyourselves.org.uk

• Applications need to be received by 23rd March 2007

• We cannot fund any projects outside of Great Britain; any political, sexist or racist organisations; any projects wishing to fund overseas trips; or multiple applications - i.e. many applications from the same organisation

• Sharing the success of the project is very much integral to the here to HELP Awards.

• Save the Children fight for children in the UK and around the World who suffer from poverty, disease, injustice and violence. Save the Children works with them to find lifelong answers to the problems that they face.

• British Gas is the largest supplier of domestic energy in the UK. British Gas, part of the Centrica group, also offers a whole range of products and home services, in addition to gas and electricity that are designed to make its customers' homes more comfortable and secure.

• For more information about Save the Children visit the website: www.savethechildren.org.uk