'Village SOS funding could bring vital investment to South Lakes communities'

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is encouraging local villages in the South Lakes to bid in this years 'Village SOS' competition, which awards up to £50,000 for local community projects.

Village SOS is looking to award grants of between £10,000-£50,000 for enterprising community projects, and any community with less than 3,000 residents is invited to apply. Village SOS has already supported many shops, cafes, pubs, transport schemes, community broadband and energy projects, set up by locals who have worked together to breathe new life into where they live and create local jobs. The deadline for the current funding round is September 12th 2012.

Applications from voluntary and community groups or organisations such as charities, village hall committees, associations, trusts, co-operatives or social enterprises are welcome, as well as from parish, town or community councils, where it can be evidenced that local residents have clearly shaped the project.

Commenting, Tim said: ''This opportunity could give our enterprising local communities just the help they need. When I am travelling around our area I am lucky to get to see so many wonderful community schemes. I hope that they will put themselves forward as I know £50,000 could make a massive difference to our villages in the South Lakes."

For more information about the Village SOS application process please visit: http://www.villagesos.org.uk/ and for eligibility details please visit: http://www.villagesos.org.uk/funding.