In the summer organisations in the borough were invited to bid to the council for funding for projects that would make a significant difference to their members and users from the local community.

Projects put forward must deliver against at least two of the scheme’s priorities, which include creating new participation opportunities, improving resilience, improving economic/environmental sustainability of the organisation, improving access for those more likely to be less active and encouraging new participants into sport or physical activity through innovative ideas.

The recipients of the first wave of funding have now been decided with almost £34,000 allocated to community clubs for projects such as improvements to changing rooms, investing in new equipment and developing new biking facilities.

The clubs or groups to receive funding in this first wave are:

• Workington Boys and Girls Club – £2,500 for improvements to their fitness area
• Thursby Sport and Recreation Committee - £2,250 for recreation field improvements including the cycle area
• Beacon Hill School Cycle Club - £10,000 for development of a pump track and MBT skills area
• Silloth Football Club - £10,000 for changing room improvement project
• Cockermouth Junior Football Club - £3,678.50 to improve facilities on their site and ground investigations for building development
• Seaton Bowling Club - £3,800 for completing club buildings to make them usable
• Gilcrux Village Hall - £1,500 for equipment to increase activity in classes, badminton and play area.

Cllr Tony Markley, Executive member for environmental services, said: “Sports clubs and other groups which give people the chance to participate in physical activity are so important to our communities. They provide great opportunities for young and old to keep fit, healthy and active while providing great platforms for those who want to play competitively.

“That’s why we were keen to put this scheme together and give some support to organisations doing great work in their community and we look forward to seeing the various projects come to fruition.”

The money to support the grant scheme has come from the Sellafield Ltd Social Impact Investment Fund (SIIF), an annual arrangement between Sellafield and the council offering an opportunity to respond in a flexible manner to support employment, economic and social growth in the borough.

Stuart McCourt, of Sellafield Ltd’s social impact team, said: “Building resilient communities is a key objective of our Social Impact programme. Sports clubs play a vital role by bringing people together, creating a sense of pride and identity, and improving physical and mental wellbeing.

“We’re delighted to see this funding going to support our tremendous local sports club at a time when they’ve never been more important.”

Colin Baty, from Silloth Football Club, said: “Our current changing rooms were built in 1982 and have only seen minor improvements since then. We are in desperate need in bringing them up to 21st century standards to also allow for an expanding junior section which has over 100 children training and playing football for Silloth. Receiving this grant from Allerdale will massively help our cause.”

Richard Johnston, secretary of Thursby Sports & Recreation Committee, said: “This grant will really help us to sort a few things on site that we haven’t been able to fund ourselves. I’d like to thank Allerdale Borough Council, and Sellafield Ltd for their support.”

Helen Johnston, of Gilcrux Village Hall, said: “I would like to say how much we appreciate the recent £1,500 grant we have been awarded towards the upgrading of our badminton equipment and provision of exercise mats for both the pilates and yoga groups. Any balance remaining will be allocated towards our extension to the existing play park which is adjacent to the village hall.”

Danny Gee, Head of School at Beacon Hill Community School, Aspatria, said: “I am thrilled to receive this generous donation towards our project. The money is much appreciated and will go a significant way towards realising the development of a landmark cycling facility for young people in west Cumbria."

Amanda Rowell, from Workington Town Boys and Girls Club, said: “The grant has been gratefully received by our club and will enable us to enhance our facility by creating an additional gym fitness space for our members. The club has been greatly impacted by the Covid restrictions and the grant will help us to overcome these challenges and move forward.”

Rob Steele, Seaton Bowling Club committee member, said: “I would like to express our thanks to Allerdale Borough Council together with Sellafield Ltd for the grant towards the provision of our own clubhouse. This grant has helped us draw near to completion a two-and-a-half-year project which became critical about eighteen months ago when due to increased bookings in the village hall, which we were using at the time as a club room, made it difficult for us.”

Applications for funding from other organisations are still being considered by the council.