Lottery funding for Bishop Auckland (From The Northern Echo)

Lottery funding for Bishop Auckland

6:03pm Tuesday 27th July 2010 in

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MORE than £1m worth of lottery funding has been earmarked for deprived neighbourhoods in Bishop Auckland.

The Big Lottery Fund is providing the funding from its Big Local Trust programme, which aims to invest £200m over the next ten years to help improve 150 urban and rural neighbourhoods nation-wide.

The initiative has highlighted South West Bishop Auckland as one of the first 50 areas in England to benefit from the scheme.

The area incorporates the Woodhouse Close and Henknowle estates, in Bishop Auckland, Tindale Crescent, St Helen Auckland, and parts of West Auckland.

The targeted neighbourhoods were chosen after extensive analysis and discussion to find places with a history of difficulty in obtaining resources, including Big Lottery funding, to help people overcome social obstacles.

James Turner, head of the North-East’s Big Lottery Fund, said: "The Big Local Trust is a dedicated Lottery funding stream to help people in neighbourhoods such as South West Bishop Auckland to identify local issues and to develop the skills and confidence necessary to change things for the better.

"We hope that by securing funding for the long-term and by offering a commitment to providing dedicated local support, the Big Local Trust will bring lasting positive changes to and its residents."

Sam Zair, county councillor for Bishop Auckland, said it was excellent news for the town.

"This is very positive and thanks to the Lottery for choosing this area.

"It is going to provide a major boost to the targeted neighbourhoods, especially within the current economic climate where there are cuts being made up and down the country."

Meanwhile, Andy Turner, county councillor for West Auckland, added: "Any money that comes into the area and will benefit the people here is a good thing. It is nice to hear and good news for us."

The Big Lottery Fund is now looking to establish an independent charitable trust to run the programme.

Any organisations interested in becoming a trustee are asked to contact the initiative before Thursday, August 12.

Call 0207-211-1800 or email general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk.

For information, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/BigLocalTrust.