Kirkby groups offered share of £50,000 community fund

Last year, 10 worthy causes from the area received financial support with Knowsley Food Bank and Tower Hill Amateur Boxing Club each receiving £10,000 from a reserve generated by donating 10p for every tonne of waste which Knowsley rail loading transfer station transports for energy generation.

Now in its fifth year, the initiative was set up as part of an agreement between Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL), who treats residual waste from across Merseyside and Halton, and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) is both one of the shareholders in MERL and the operator of the Knowsley rail loading transfer station. This community fund – which has so far awarded over £280,000 to local causes – is one way in which the partnership can support social and environmental causes and contribute to the communities they serve.

This year’s deadline for applications is Friday 04 August 2023 and, in order to qualify, groups must be based near Knowsley rail loading transfer station in Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield or Prescot North (Knowsley Village). Groups can be charities, businesses or friends of associations but must be not-for-profit and engaged in projects which deliver community, health and wellbeing or environmental benefits for their neighbourhoods.

Victoria Crabtree, SUEZ’s Regional Manager, said: “I am delighted to once again declare the Kirkby Neighbour Community Fund open for applications. Every year, the panel is astounded by the amount of social value that these groups work hard to deliver. It’s genuinely an honour to be given the opportunity to do our bit to help.”

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, said: “The Authority is pleased that MERL & SUEZ UK continue to support the Kirkby community through the Neighbourhood Fund. Local groups and organisations are often facing financial challenges, so resources like this are very welcome.”

Further details about the fund, including application forms and application guidance notes, visit www.suezmerseyside.co.uk.

Also, we welcome all community and residents’ groups from across Merseyside and Halton to come and discover first-hand what happens to their residual waste at the Knowsley Rail Transfer Loading Station Visitor Centre in Kirkby.