Bids are being sought for funding of up to £7,500 to support projects to benefit and enrich the lives of those living or working in Darlington’s Bank Top and Lascelles area.

TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) – Working together for Bank Top and Lascelles, has secured funding of £35,000 for community projects and is inviting bids from local individuals, organisations, groups or sport/social clubs.

Initiatives to help socially isolated adults and younger members of the community would be particularly welcome.

A shortlist of applications will be chosen and invited to a Dragons’ Den-style event to be held at Cleveland Bridge Social Club on Saturday 16 November. There they will be invited to make their ‘pitch’ as they compete to convince an audience of other local people to support their project.

A vote will then be held to choose the winning projects to receive funding of up to £7,500 each.

Inspector Chris Knox, Darlington Neighbourhood Police Inspector, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for members of Bank Top and Lascelles to showcase their projects, groups and get some investment to enhance the lives of the community. I would urge the community to get involved and make this a fantastic event.”

Cllr Jonathan Dulston, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said:

“We’ve been working together with Police, Lascelles Community Partnership and local residents to enhance the Bank Top and Lascelles area and are keen to hear what ideas local people and groups have.

“The best of the ideas will be chosen to take part in the event in November, where they’ll have the chance to outline their plans to the audience, which will then vote for the ones they like best.

“There’s £35,000 funding available in total, so we’ll be looking to support several projects and can’t wait to see what people come up with.”

Entry forms are available at Firthmoor Police Station, The Community Hub at Eastbourne Park, via Facebook /TEAM-Working together for Bank Top and Lascelles, or for more details and to request a form email [email protected] or [email protected]

The closing date for applications has been extended to 30 September.