Two local groups win Aviva community grants

Photo of the Bradley Stoke Youth FC Under-7 team.

September 2018 saw a number of local community groups send in applications to the Aviva Community Fund in the hopes of receiving funding for their projects. After voting was opened to the public in October 2018, the finalists were announced on 27th November. From across the Stokes, there were four finalists: St Michael’s Primary School PTFA, 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts, Wheatfield Primary School and Bradley Stoke Youth FC.

On 24th January 2019, the winners from the ‘environment’ category were announced followed by the ‘health and wellbeing’ category on 31st January and on 7th February it was the final category, ‘skills for life’. Out of these three categories, two of the four finalists from the Stokes were successful and will be receiving the funding that they applied for.

Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club (BSYFC)

BSYFC’s U7 team received funding of £500 to purchase some winter training clothing as well as new training equipment such as mini-hurdles, training ladders and slalom poles to ensure training sessions remain engaging and interactive for the children.

James McTiernan, manager of the U7 team, said:

“We are delighted with the news that the club were able to secure a significant sum of money through the Aviva Community Fund. Coaches and parents worked really hard to ensure that we had enough votes to be considered. The under-7 squad are undergoing and really enjoying their first season in league football this year. The money will go towards kit and equipment, and will go a very long way in helping the children to grow and develop as both footballers and people.”

St Michael’s Primary School PTFA

Photo of children standing on play equipment at St Michael's Primary School.

The parents, teachers and friends association (PTFA) of St Michael’s Primary School secured funding of £5,000 to put towards the installation of new play equipment on the field. The PTFA has been fundraising towards this goal over the last year and have managed to raise a total of £20,000 to pay for the new equipment. Alongside fundraising events at the school, the PTFA has also been awarded a number of grants, including £500 from the Airbus Community Awards, £200 from Asda Green Tokens, £5,000 from Morrisons Community Fund and £1,000 from local councillor Brian Allinson through the South Glos member awards scheme.

Laura Walker, chair of the PTFA, said:

“We are so pleased that we secured enough funding from the grants and our fundraising efforts. The new play equipment looks amazing and we are thrilled with it! The children have loved playing on the equipment and, rumour has it, Mr Freeman (headteacher) has also been spotted on it!”

Mr Freeman added:

“We were delighted to receive the Aviva Community Fund grant, which will provide a massive boost to our fundraising efforts. Our aim is to make significant improvements to our outdoor play equipment, to give children much greater opportunity to play and be physically active. Thank you Aviva and thanks to everyone who supported us.”

Photo of play equipment at St Michael's Primary School.

Hopefully, the Aviva Community Fund will take place again later this year, giving groups in the local community the chance to receive funding for their projects. To find out more, visit community-fund.aviva.co.uk

This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on pages 26 & 27). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

Share this page: