Lottery fund provides cash lifeline for clubs

Sports clubs and voluntary organisations in the Sunderland area have been thrown a potential lifeline thanks to grants from the Sport England Community Emergency Fund.

The 56 bodies benefiting from the £163,544 funding cover a range of sports such as angling, archery bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, football, gymnastics and weighlifting.

The fund was set-up with £35million of National Lottery money to help community sport and physical activity organisations facing short-term financial hardship or the risk or permanent closure, due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic, to survive.

Coun John Kelly, cabinet member for communities and culture at Sunderland City Council, said: “We know that these clubs have been badly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, seeing their incomes dry up completely during lockdown. So it's fantastic to see them being thrown this lifeline to help see them through the pandemic and out the other side.”

AAASports, based in Southwick, provides gymnastics, trampoline and cheerleading classes and a spokesman said the £7,500 it has secured will help it focus its efforts on creating and delivering the best activities for everyone, as well as securing the club's long-term future.

Silksworth Bowls Club, whose members range in age from 10 to 90, received £2,805.

David Bolt from the club said: "The funding has been fantastic for the bowls club as we rely heavily on raising funds through the season – not only to sustain the club and its facilities, but we're also very keen to become a community club and provide a diverse facility for all to use.”