Vote for your favourite charity to win KCOM Community Grant money

Six worthy groups have been shortlisted from dozens of applications from across Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire to make the Community Grants shortlist – and will now face a public vote to see which three receive grants of up to £1,000.

The final six includes Beverley Mutual Aid, a charity supporting vulnerable people by doing day-to-day tasks such as shopping, gardening and dog-walking; Friends of Hull General Cemetery, which is transforming the cemetery into a welcoming space for visitors and a haven for nature; and Kingston Amateur Boxing Club which gives youngsters from disadvantaged areas new life opportunities through sport.

Also in the running is Men in Sheds Haltemprice, which provides friendship and practical skills training for isolated people; The Green Team, from Goole, which offers practical work experience and activities for disabled people; and Pocklington Rugby in the Community (PRITC) which aims to deliver Christmas dinners and friendship to lonely older people this festive season.

Dale Raneberg, KCOM chief executive, said: “I’m delighted to relaunch our Community Grants for another round and that we have such fantastic finalists. The quality of entrants was incredibly high and it was a difficult job to pick just six for the shortlist. There are so many groups doing such great work out in our region and, after the challenging year we’ve had, their work has never been needed more.

“I’d urge as many people as possible to get involved and vote for their favourite group - and it could be in line for a £1,000 Christmas boost to continue its invaluable work in the community.”

Earlier this year KCOM temporarily suspended its normal community grant process to direct extra effort and resources to where they were needed most by local groups in the frontline against coronavirus.

The company also doubled its usual grant donations to £6,000 which enabled charities such as the Smile Foundation and North Bank Forum to provide vital food and medical supplies to vulnerable people across the region.

But now, as the end of the second lockdown approaches, the normal public voting system has returned and supporters of the shortlisted charities are being urged to vote online and share the news about their favourite.

Previous grant winners have included Hull Visual Choir, The Special Stars Foundation for youngsters with special needs, Friends of Westcott School, baby charity Bundles Of Joy and the Hull branch of the RSPCA.

Voting is open now and runs until 10 December. The winners will be announced before Christmas.

You can vote for your favourite here.