Over £60,000 distributed to good causes in and around Kirkby
The Fund is part of the agreement with Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL), who treat Merseyside and Halton’s household residual waste, and with its partner SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, operates the Knowsley rail loading transfer station in the local area.
It provides an opportunity for community groups and charities in the Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield and Knowsley Village wards, to apply for funding to support a range of community, health, wellbeing and environmental projects.
The Fund typically stands at £50,000, but following a higher than anticipated number of quality applications this year, funding has been extended to £66,000. Projects and groups that have been successful include: Incredible Edibles Knowsley, Diversity Boxing Academy and Care Merseyside.
The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund will invest over £1million in to the local community throughout the lifespan of the 25-year contract with Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). Both MERL and SUEZ recognise that they have an important part to play in the local community and this Fund helps to fulfil their responsibilities as a good neighbour.
This year’s Fund announcements were made at a special celebration event at the visitor centre at the rail loading transfer station on the Knowsley Industrial Estate.
Speaking at the celebration event, Andrew Hughes, Contract Manager at SUEZ, said: “We are delighted to be making these awards today. We received so many applications from some really outstanding projects – I’m so glad that we have been able to increase the amount for this year!”
Cllr Tony Concepcion, MRWA Chairperson said: “The Authority is pleased that MERL and SUEZ UK continue to support local communities and initiatives with the Fund in this way, and to offer local residents the opportunity to see the journey their waste takes, here at the visitor centre.
The visitor centre at the rail loading transfer station offers the opportunity for local community and residents groups to book a visit and seethe journey of Merseyside and Halton’s residual household waste, and how it’s used as a fuel to generate enough electricity to power more than 63,000 homes – waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill.