Four grants, four surprises, as dreams come true in 61 communities across Wales

4 Apr 2019 03:54 PM

Staff from the Fund decided to surprise four community groups with the news that their applications had been successful. Watch their delighted reactions.

£499,220 was awarded to Y Dref Wredd, Blaenau Ffestiniog to create a community centre. Project Manager, Gwydion ap Wynn was filmed with some volunteers. They thought they were being interviewed about the Fund’s application process but discovered their grant had been successful. The film shows Gwydion so surprised and delighted that he can hardly speak until eventually tearing off his work gloves, throwing them on the floor and announcing they are going to the pub to celebrate!

Monica Frackowiak of the Polish Integration Support Centre in Wrexham was so moved to learn that they had been successful in obtaining £9,900 that she cried with happiness. She can be heard in the film saying “I’m glad I didn’t put my makeup on.” The money will be used to set up a base for the charity and provide anti bullying workshops to Polish children and adults.

Men’s Sheds Rhyl gathered a big group including the local Police Community Support Office (PCSO) who all clapped and cheered when they heard they had been awarded £90,582 to create groups and activities for Women and Kids in their new Centre.

Finally, Splott Community Volunteers were so delighted that they started hugging each other and our Funding Officer ,and laughing, on finding that they had could buy their refrigerated delivery van with a grant £10,000 to take food to breakfast clubs that they run for homeless people and refugees.

Grants of nearly half a million pounds were also welcomed by Your Space in Wrexham, and Ponthafren in Newtown. Overall, nearly three million pounds has been distributed across Wales this month between 62 organisations, with grants totalling £2,979,632. The grants are made possible thanks to players of the National Lottery and you can see the full list of communities with awards this month here.

You can see five more of the wonderful projects in Wales funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Follow this link and up until 14 April you can see films about and vote for one of five projects through The People’s Projects. They could win £50,000 so your vote really counts.

Click here for the full press release