YOUNG people are being reminded they need to act fast if they want to bid for grants of up to £3,000 to help them organise activities or events.

A limited amount of funding is on offer from Hartlepool Council’s youth support service and must be used to benefit young people aged 13 to 19 or up to age 25 for those with special needs.

Helen White, participation manager for the youth support service, said: “If you are a young person or a youth group in Hartlepool with a good idea for an event or an activity for other young people, the Grant Givers Panel would love to hear from you.

“These grants could make all the difference to getting your project off the ground, but you need to move quickly as the closing date for applications is fast approaching.”

Evening activities for youth organisations, equipment for sports activities, theatre and drama productions, community gardens, residential courses and specialist coaching and tuition are just some examples of previous projects or items for which grants have been given.

Applications will be considered by a Grant Givers Panel made up of young people from across Hartlepool and applicants must be prepared to pitch their ideas to the panel at a special ‘Dragons’ Den’-type event on Wednesday, January 28.

All ideas will be considered, but applicants should note that grants cannot be given to cover running/staffing costs.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Wednesday, January 21.

For more information and an application form, contact Helen White on 01429-284044 or email helen.white@hartlepool.gov.uk