KCOM announces latest shortlist for community grants
Exploring scouts, young readers, poorly youngsters and a charity that cares for sick animals are all in with a chance of winning a KCOM Community Grant
Two local schools and an animal charity are to benefit from KCOM’s most recent round of community grants
Cavendish Primary School, Cottingham Croxby Primary Academy and Hull PDSA Pet Hospital were the worthy winners topping an online public poll from a shortlist of six.
Cavendish Primary School will use the £751 grant it applied for to buy “story sacks” which include books and learning aids to help foundation and Year One children learn to read.
Fiona McKinnon, who teaches at the school, said: “This is amazing – it’s unbelievable that we’ve won the grant. The children are going to be absolutely delighted. I can’t wait to get them excited about reading.”
Cottingham Croxby Primary Academy applied for a grant of £500 to create a butterfly garden in memory of one of its pupils who sadly died last year. Esma's Butterfly Garden will feature trees and Buddleia plants to attract butterflies, which were her favourite things.
Head teacher David Waterson said: “We’re overjoyed to receive funding for this project. Having a place to remember Esma will be beneficial for us all at the academy and her family.”
The final grant winner, Hull PDSA Pet Hospital, will use its £1,000 grant to buy new equipment for the hospital.
Veterinary nurse Rachel Barnes, who applied for the grant, said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded a KCOM community grant of £1,000.
“Having this new equipment will transform the care we offer to the most vulnerable in our community.
“Being able to diagnose quickly and use less invasive treatment will save the lives of many of the poorly pets people bring to us every day.”
Brendon Smurthwaite, KCOM’s community coordinator, said: “We had our biggest-ever response from the public for this round of grants, with more than 3,000 people voting for their favourite project.
“We’re delighted to be able to help them with their valuable work.
“For the three groups who didn’t quite make it this time, our next round of grants opens for applications next month.”
Applications for the next round of grants open on 1 April 2020, with public voting starting on 10 May 2020.
Details of how to apply are here.