Community groups and organisations from in and around Kirkby have received £55,000 from this year’s Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund. The funding has been distributed to ten community groups operating in Northwood, Cherryfield, Whitefield and Knowsley Village.

The Fund is part of the agreement with Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL) who, together with its partner SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ), operate the Rail Transfer Loading Station in Knowsley that handles Merseyside and Halton’s household residual waste.

Each year, the Fund provides support to a range of community, health, wellbeing, and environmental projects. This year, £55,000 was awarded to ten local good causes.

These are:

1. Knowsley Foodbank, who received £10,000 to provide remote support to poverty and isolation.
2. Tower Hill Amateur Boxing Club, who received £10,000 to support the group in developing the boxing club into a community hub.
3. Perspective Theatre Company, who received £5,000 to devise, produce and present contemporary drama performances and their ‘Learning is Fun’ project.
4. Southdene Community Association, who received £8,000 for a variety of groups and activities at the community centre.
5. Kirkby and Liverpool North Sea Cadets, who received £2,000 for IT equipment.
6. Tailored Advice Services, who received £2,000 for their kitchen renovation.
7. Delaware Allotments, who received £2,000 to develop an apiary and wildflower garden.
8. Music Sweet Music, who received £2,000 for their old-time music project.
9. Peoples Activity Community Achievement, who received £7,000 for their Fitter Healthier Community Project.
10. The Eco Therapy Garden, who received £7,000 for their ‘Activity for All’ programme.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund has now invested more than £280,000 over the last five years into the local area. 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.

SUEZ’s Regional Manager, Victoria Crabtree said: “We received so many applications to the Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund this year and I’m absolutely delighted that we were able to distribute £55,000 to ten very worthy good causes. I am new to the area and am looking forward to seeing the difference this money can make to peoples’ communities, wellbeing and the environment. I would also like to reiterate that this is an annual fund and that we will be opening for applications again next spring.”

Cllr Tony Concepcion, MRWA Chairperson said: “The Authority is once again so pleased that MERL & SUEZ UK continue to support the Kirkby community through the Neighbourhood Fund. Community groups and local organisations have once again faced huge challenges this year, and financial resources like this are very welcome. We hope that 2022 brings more opportunities to support health and wellbeing across the local area.”

Working on behalf of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, SUEZ puts Merseyside and Halton’s residual household waste to good use by using it to create sustainable electricity. Waste arrives at the Knowsley Rail Transfer Loading Station where it is loaded onto rail containers and taken to the Wilton Energy-from-Waste facility in Teesside, where it is used to generate electricity that is fed into the national grid. The facility produces enough electricity to power more than 63,000 homes.

Local community and residents’ groups can explore the journey of Merseyside and Halton’s residual household waste at the visitor centre at the Rail Loading Transfer Station in Knowsley.

For more information, please visit www.suezmerseyside.co.uk .

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