A LIFELINE fund has been distributed to community sports groups to make life easier for everyone when the lockdown ends.
Carlisle City Council and Cumbria City Council have worked in partnership to support Carlisle sports groups and launched a joint Sport Hardship Fund in January 2021.
As part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, organized outdoor sports could resume from March 29th. Therefore, the key fund has been expanded to support the local sports clubs in reopening in a Covid-safe manner.
All of the money given to sports clubs was used to prevent their closure after they significantly missed their income during the lockdown.
The Currock Amateur Boxing Club recently received support from the Sports Hardship Fund, which paid a registration fee to its national governing body.
Club member Gary McGarvie said, “It was very difficult because of the Covid pandemic and because we couldn’t open, we couldn’t make an income.
“With the scholarship we can go on for another year and pay for our subscription to England Boxing. Then we can set up our satellite club in other parts of the city to attract youth from those areas.
“On behalf of everyone at the Currock House Boxing Club, I just want to say thank you very much.”
The youth football club Gillford Park FC also received a scholarship in March 2021 as the club was at risk of closure due to a lack of revenue due to the pandemic.
Jackie Hayhow of the club said, “We are so grateful for the hardship funding we received. With this money we can bridge the shortfall because we did not receive any subscriptions because we received two bans within the most expensive time of the year football season, ie winter training facilities and pitch fees.
“Some of our family circumstances in football had changed so we are now able to give them some breathing space too. Thank you very much.”
The fund will continue to prioritize financial support for nonprofit sports organizations that are in trouble due to the pandemic.
Carlisle City Council Chairman, Councilor John Mallinson, said, “The revamped Carlisle Sports Hardship Fund will help local clubs ensure that return to sporting activities is as safe as possible for volunteers and participants.
“The health and wellbeing of our residents is one of our top priorities and it is important that we do everything we can to support local community groups.
“We must protect them and their valuable services in these challenging and unprecedented times.”
Councilor Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Cumbria County Council for Public Health and Communities, added, “Sports groups and clubs provide access to all kinds of activities that help people stay healthy, active and fit.
“We know the Grant Fund will help many keep their services closed due to ongoing Covid restrictions, and I urge all nonprofits to come forward and apply for funding.”
For more information, please visit the Active Cumbria website at www.activecumbria.org/workforce/funding or email Aileen Grant, Carlisle Locality Officer, at aileen.grant@cumbria.gov.uk.
Non-profit sports groups wishing to apply for financial support can send an email to helen.tickner@carlisle.gov.uk.