Community groups developing community, health and wellbeing and environmental projects closest to the Knowsley Rail Transfer Loading Station in Kirkby are eligible to apply for grants of anything between £1,000 and £20,000. Applications need to be in by 22 July 2022 and the winners will be announced in the autumn.

The Fund was set up as part of the agreement with Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL) who have been appointed by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) to treat residual waste from across Merseyside and Halton. SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) is both one of the shareholders in MERL and the operator of the Rail Transfer Loading Station. Both MERL and SUEZ recognise that they have an important part to play in the local community and this Fund helps to fulfil their responsibilities as a good neighbour.

Last year, eight community groups were successful in applying for funds. These were:

1. Incredible Edibles Knowsley, who received £9,000 for a community food project
2. Pingwood Arts and Crafts Group, who received £5,000 to support the group in continuing to tackle social isolation
3. Prospective Theatre Company, who received £4,500 to devise, produce and present contemporary drama performances
4. Care Merseyside, who received £5,000 for their social prescribing online classes
5. Centre 63, who received £10,000 for their ‘Remake Yourself’ project
6. Tower Hill Amateur Boxing Club, who received £10,000 for their Healthy Communities Project
7. CELLS, who received £4,500 for their Mums Matter project
8. Southdene Community Association, who received £8,000 to continue their work

As COVID 19 restrictions precluded us holding a cheque presentation event last year for the successful groups a special video was produced to celebrate their achievements. You can view it on Facebook here: https://fb.watch/9JGuiX3mFy/

Victoria Crabtree, SUEZ’s Regional Manager, said: ‘I’m delighted to announce that the 2022 Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund is open for applications. I am new to the region and have been impressed with the range of projects we funded last year, hopefully the variety and quality of these projects will inspire others to come forward. If you have a great idea that could benefit your community, please apply.’

Further details about the fund, including application forms and application guidance notes, can be found at: www.suezmerseyside.co.uk/kirkbyfund

Also, we welcome all community and residents’ groups from across Merseyside and Halton to come and discover first-hand what happens to their residual waste at the Knowsley Rail Transfer Loading Station Visitor Centre in Kirkby. To find out more, visit www.suezmerseyside.co.uk

• Community fund
• Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund

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