Cash for Sports, Arts, Culture and Community Wellbeing

But you better be quick, because the finishing line for applications to Ribble Valley Borough Council’s 2024 sports and arts excellence grants scheme is looming.

The scheme has supported the borough’s young athletes and performance artists at county and national level for many years – among them Olympians Jon Schofield and Samantha Murray – by helping them with the cost of equipment and tuition.

Grants are available for sport, dance, drama and music (instrumental and voice), with priority given to those with a strong track record in their chosen discipline and able to provide evidence of achievement.

Ricky Newmark, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said: “The biggest issue for young people and their parents in pursuing their chosen activity is the cost of instruction, transport and equipment, and we hope that by helping towards these costs young people will be able to reach their potential.”

Cash is also up for grabs by sports and arts groups for a range of cultural and recreational activities, particularly projects that boost community wellbeing.

Sports and community groups, where many young people started their careers, and projects that improve arts activity for the disadvantaged and those with access difficulties, are particularly invited to apply.

Projects across the arts spectrum will be considered, including theatre, dance, music, comedy, film, photography, fine art, craft and creative writing.

Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations for up to 50 per cent of the cost of the project, but not maintenance or running costs.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, 31 January, and application packs are available from https://www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/grants