Lottery bid needs a little help from Friends (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Lottery bid needs a little help from Friends

12:07pm Friday 15th February 2013 in News

‘FRIENDS’ groups across Darlington are calling on the community’s support to help them win a Lottery grant.

The voluntary groups, which look after parks and nature reserves across the town, are working with Groundwork North East and Darlington Council to submit a Big Lottery, Reaching Communities funding application.

If successful, the money will help set up a town-wide project to encourage more people to volunteer and supporting existing and new schemes across the boroughs green spaces.

The steering group for the bid are inviting residents to tell them what they would like to see from the project by completing a questionnaire which can be accessed through Groundwork North East or any local Friends group.

Lisa Locke, of Groundwork North East, said: “This bid will support the Friends and encourage people to come forward to help in different ways such as helping with monitoring wildlife and supporting local activities and events”

The bid will also help fund volunteer training and give Friends groups the chance to be formally accredited.

To share your opinions of your local parks and nature reserves and exlplain how you could contribute and benefit from this potential project, contact Caroline Dunn at Groundwork North East 01325-353791 or caroline.dunn@groundwork.org.uk for a questionnaire to be sent to you.

Members of various Friends groups will also be in Darlington’s market place today (Monday, February 18) between 10am and 3pm with more information about the scheme.