'Smaller groups are the bedrock of the community' - £10,000 boost for charity which helps voluntary groups in Lichfield
A charity which has helped more than 400 voluntary groups across Lichfield has received a £10,000 boost from the district council.
Community fund We Love Lichfield received a £10,000 donation from the business trading arm of Lichfield District Council.
Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS) donated funds from its annual surplus as part of its commitment to give back to the local area.
LWMTS is a trading company wholly owned by the district council, which provides services to residents on behalf of the authority. It also shares its expertise with other councils and organisations across the country, and all profits are either reinvested into public services or donated to good causes in the district.
LWMTS chairman Alex Farrell said he was delighted to make the donation.
"LWMTS has had an excellent year where we have been able to make significant returns to Lichfield District Council which will, in turn, be used to benefit local people.
“We Love Lichfield has raised and distributed over £420,000 to more than 400 different groups since it started a decade ago. It specifically helps smaller groups, who may not receive the limelight, but are the bedrock of the local voluntary community.
“By making this donation to We Love Lichfield and their unique knowledge and connections in the local voluntary sector, we are maximising our reach and benefitting as many people as possible who make a difference across the district.”
Some of the organisations to receive We Love Lichfield grants over the years include Spark in Burntwood, Whittington Community Computer Club and Friends 2 Friends.
Esther Allen from Spark Burntwood said, “Our groups have received multiple grants from We Love Lichfield which has helped us to provide vital services to local people. Without grants from We Love Lichfield we wouldn’t have been able to do much of our work for the community.”
We Love Lichfield Patron Simon Price thanked the company for its donation.
"It will have a massive, positive effect on local voluntary groups across Lichfield, Burntwood and the surrounding villages," he said.
“My thanks also go to Lichfield District Council for entrusting We Love Lichfield in assisting them in their grant and Community Lottery funds. To have the council as a partner gives us a boost to strive even harder to make a difference across our district.”
We Love Lichfield invites grant applications throughout the year, and encourages groups to apply for the first time.
Grant awards are made twice a year in the summer and at Christmas. More information is available on the website www.welovelichfield.com
We Love Lichfield is supported by the Community Foundation For Staffordshire and Shropshire, with companies and individuals making up the bulk of the donors to the fund.
