Rochdale community groups awarded grants

Four community groups from Rochdale will receive a cash boost after being awarded with grants from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund.

St Edwards C of E Primary School will receive £3,000 from the fund. Money received from the fund will go towards the schools pond development project. It is hoped that the development will benefit the local and wider community.

St Michael's Uniformed Groups will also receive £3,000 from the fund. The fund will allow Scouts and Guides to continue with the refurbishment of the building used to ensure that a wide range of activities can be offered to children aged 5-18 years old.

St Michael's PTFA will receive £300. The Parent, Teacher and Friends Association raises funds to help St Michael's Primary School buy equipment for the pupils to use. So far this year the group has raised £7,000 to support the school and the community. Money raised this year will help to fund outdoor shelters for the children.

Sportsman and Social Development (SSDE) is a community group that helps teach social values through fitness and community work. The group will receive £300 and hope to use the money to expand what they currently offer.

The Lloyds Bank Community Fund is used to help local people have a positive impact at the heart of their communities. This year more than 2.3 million votes were cast by members of the public. Lloyds Bank described this as an “overwhelming” response with 1,332 good causes short listed across England and Wales.

Graham Lindsay, Group Director, Responsible Business at Lloyds Banking Group said: "Lloyds Bank scaled up the Community Fund considerably in 2013 and in return we have had an incredible response from the public, which has resonated right across the country. We know that receiving a promotional boost and public support is as important as the financial investment and can have a sustained impact on groups’ engagement with their local community over time.

"Congratulations to every community group that took part, we look forward to hearing about the difference being involved in the programme has made."

After the overwhelming response to this years community fund, Lloyds bank has committed to continuing the fund in 2014.