Teens to choose on grants

A panel of Dudley teenagers are to give out government cash grants to groups working on behalf of children around the borough.

The grant scheme, Rant about the Grant, will see a series of handouts of up to £500 given out.

Groups and organisations which work with children and young people aged five-13 in Dudley are being invited to bid for grants from Dudley Children's Fund.

Anybody can apply for the grants whose work involves improving or making a difference to the lives of children and young people in Dudley.

All completed applications will be considered by Dudley Decision Making Kids, a group made up of children and young people from across the Dudley borough who meet regularly to participate in active decision making.

Becky Harvey, aged 14, chairman of Dudley Decision Making Kids, said: "When we were told that we would be giving money to other groups of children and young people, we were all excited because we were choosing what projects were going to be introduced to children and young people around Dudley.

"These are decisions that should really be made by children and young people because the outcomes affect us and only us, the children and young people, know exactly what we want."

Application packs can be downloaded from the Dudley Children's Fund website at www.dudleychildrensfund.org.uk or by ringing Toni Brettell on 01384 813437.

The closing date for completed applications is Friday July 6.