Thank you to all the organisations who took the time to apply for grants this year, there were record numbers of applications received.

Nine contractors working locally in the town kindly donated the grand total of £19,337. A big thank you goes out to Ashe, Etec, Magrock, PiLON, Sureserve, Jewson, Imex (Hill), Keepmoat and TSG.

This grant funding goes towards helping local community groups, each and every one of them undertaking fantastic work and helping the people of Stevenage.

Each of the contractors work closely with the Stevenage Works group, managed by Stevenage Borough Council. They carry out repairs, major work refurbishment contracts and are also completing some of the regeneration happening within the town. They contribute towards providing local opportunities for local people, offering training and employing local where possible too. It’s great they’re also able to support fantastic causes such as the Community Chest Fund. Without them it would be impossible to offer grants such as this, that go towards helping our community.

We were able to support all 9 local organisations who applied, each receiving the grant funding to put towards the work they do to help Stevenage residents. The cheque presentation took place at the council offices in Daneshill House, being opened by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Henry and The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lloyd Briscoe.

Congratulations to all the organisations:

• Diamond Silver Service - £1,200
• Feed Up Warm Up - £3,000
• Friends of Hampson Park - £1,000
• Shephall United Football Club - £1,370
• Stevenage Community Trust - £3,207
• Stevenage Cycling Hub - £1,560
• Stevenage FC Foundation – £5,000
• St Andrew & St George - £1,000
• The Wind and The Sun Advocacy Project - £2,000

Awards were presented to the representatives of the community groups by the contractors along with The Leader, The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jackie Hollywell, Kit Davis (CEO, North Herts College),Tom Pike (Chief Executive, SBC), Ash Ahmed (Director of Land, Development and Neighbourhood Regeneration, SBC), Dave Wells (Director of Regeneration, SBC) and Greta Gardiner (Stevenage Works Lead).

Councillor Lloyd Brisoce, The Stevenage Deputy Mayor said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to present these grants for the benefit of our Stevenage Community. The work they do goes a long way to help others and this money will support them to carry on doing this. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along, it’s great to be able to recognise groups who bring such a huge benefit to residents within our community.”

Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of the Council said: “Thank you to all the contractors donating today. Without their generosity it would be impossible to support these organisations that have a huge impact in the community of Stevenage. Keep up the fantastic work and we look forward to seeing lots of local groups applying for the funding next year.”

If you’re a local contractor and would like to join the Stevenage Works group, please contact the Stevenage Works Team at Stevenageworks@stevenage.gov.uk.