Groups win a share of community cash funding

Four groups in Sunderland have won a share of a major company’s £11,500 community fund.

The Venator Community Fund has provided grants to 40 organisations in the North East – with Hartlepool Rugby Football Club receiving the top award of £1,000 after a public vote.

Four groups in Sunderland have each received a £250 boost from the firm, which is based in Wynyard, County Durham.

They are Fulwell Community Library, Ryhope All Stars Marching Band, The Woodsmoke Group and Sundeland

111 Air Squadron.

Karen Fenwick, vice president for corporate branding and communications at Venator, said: “The winners of the Community Fund all share our values of teamwork and innovation.

“This year, we felt it was more important than ever to support charities, community groups and educational establishments, because most of them have been so adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s been a real pleasure to have seen so many worthy entries from scores of sports clubs, groups, charities and schools that do such tremendous work in their communities.”

The Venator Community Fund has awarded over

£50,000 to schools, community groups and charities since it was established in 2018.

Groups were invited to apply online and propose, in no more than 250 words, how their group would use the funding to support teamwork and innovation in their community.

A total of 67 applications from all over the region made it to the voting stage which saw over 30,000 public votes.