ORGANISATIONS are being urged to apply for potentially game changing grants from the Clapham based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT).

The Roger Stott Community Grants Programme, which is managed by the trust, provides grants of between £250 and £1,500 for voluntary organisations and community groups with an annual income of less than £30,000, and can be used to develop both new and existing initiatives.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, over the last three years the scheme has awarded more than £104,000 to almost 90 projects across the Dales and Nidderdale.

Recent awards include £875 to the Skipton Refugee Support Group, to raise awareness of refugee issues across secondary schools in Craven.

Another project saw Skipton Juniors Football Club granted £600 towards coaching for its girls’ football teams.

Catherine Davison, Skipton Juniors FC Girls secretary, said: “As a result of our player development centre we have managed to recruit some volunteer coaches and will be running an U7s, U9s and U11s girls teams in September. We thank (the programme) so much for its support by providing a grant to make this possible.”

Michaela Brennan, Roger Stott community grants officer, said: “We’re looking forward to receiving many more exciting proposals for projects that will have a big impact for communities in or near the Yorkshire Dales National Park and in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“It’s a quick and easy application process and the grant can be used for capital items or revenue costs.”

Over the last decade , YDMT has received more than £2 million from the People’s Postcode Lottery through Postcode Earth Trust, supporting many other projects that benefit the people, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

Will Humpington, climate change and environmental programmes advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, added:”“These groups have a huge impact on the people and the area of the Yorkshire Dales, and it’s important that they are given the opportunity to deliver valuable projects and initiatives that make a real difference in their communities.”

The Roger Stott Community Grants programme was launched in March 2016 in memory of the charity’s founding Chairman.

Grants can cover revenue expenses such as staff costs, rent or training, or be used for capital such as furniture, computers or catering equipment. No match-funding is required, so groups can apply for up to 100 per cent of the total project costs.

The closing date for applications is October 28. Visit:ydmt.org/community-grants to download the application form, guidance notes and map of the eligible area.