Local Charities - Crawley Mela Association, Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group and Crawley Community & Voluntary Service - have been successful in their Big Lottery funding bids, being awarded a total of £10,995.
Welcoming the news, local MP Henry Smith said:
“I’m delighted that these local community action projects have been acknowledged for their dedicated work with lottery funds.
“The £8,320 Lottery grant being made available for the Crawley Mela Association will help fund new flags and banners depicting different cultures to parade at the Mela, involving people of all ages and backgrounds, including Arabic, African and Asian. The aim of the grant is to encourage people from various ethnicities to work together and create a greater understanding of each other's cultures.
“The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group’s £2,300 grant will fund an evening of entertainment, including comedy and drama, based on the theme of asylum and detention, for young people in Crawley. Through increased understanding of the issues faced by asylum seekers, the Group hope to reduce prejudice towards this community.
“The final grant, for just £375, will provide a day workshop for voluntary organisations operating out of the Crawley Community & Voluntary Service centre, based on the relationship between the government and the public sector and seeking funding from public bodies. This will help local voluntary groups to capacity build and engage with public bodies more confidently.
“I encourage local voluntary groups to bid as support is out there and waiting. I’m always happy to help them make the right connection with the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of Crawley charities.”