Loughborough Echo

Molly’s Gift grant invite

- PETE WARRINGTON peter.warrington@reachplc.com

MOLLY’S GIFT, a fund-raising trust set up in memory of Loughborou­gh Foxes footballer Molly Webb, is inviting applicatio­ns for its first ever round of grant funding.

Molly passed away in January 2019 aged 25 and the trust was set up by Molly’s partner Emily Sharpe and Molly’s close friend Leandra Whelband in August 2019, designed to provide funding opportunit­ies for youth developmen­t in sport, particular­ly for disadvanta­ged children; something incredibly close to Molly’s heart.

Numerous fund-raising events have been held to raise funds for the trust and now local non for profit community organisati­ons, primary schools and individual­s (children and young people) can apply for a grant of up to £500, with a deadline for applicatio­ns of Monday, March 9. All grant applicatio­ns will need to achieve one of the following outcomes:

•Increase participat­ion in

sport / physical activity for children and young people

• Provide opportunit­ies in

sport / physical activity for disadvanta­ged young people

• To improve and raise the

awareness of mental health for children & young people.

A panel will assess all applicatio­ns received and successful bids will receive their grant at a special ‘Molly’s Gift’ award presentati­on event.

Trust co-founder Emily Sharpe said: “We are incredibly excited for the first round of grants to begin. We have worked incredibly hard over the past year and it’s a great feeling to go full circle and finally start handing the money back out to those who need it.

“We are so grateful for every donation and the support we’ve received from the local community and it’s so wonderful to see how Molly’s legacy is able to bring everyone together - which knowing Molly, is no surprise. “We hope that we can continue to spread the joy through Molly’s Gift and help her to keep her promise “to help everyone smile”.

And Leandra Whelband added: “We are excited to move forward with our work and provide small grants to the local community in Leicesters­hire and Rutland, helping local children and young people to smile, whilst keeping Molly’s passion and enthusiasm at the heart of everything we do.”

• For more informatio­n visit www. lrsport. org/ fundingfin­der/1191

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Molly Webb
■ Molly Webb
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