OREANDA-NEWS. July 02, 2015. A hospice in Wirral, a gymnastics club in Nottingham, an allotment society in Worcestershire and a horse riding centre for disabled children in Bedfordshire. These are just some of the 300 plus local projects and charities that have won funding to support their work.

All of these groups were winners of the Aviva Community Fund, a new nationwide initiative that launched in March and called upon passionate local residents to submit a project close to their heart and secure funding ranging from 1,000 up to 25,000.

Every winning project was notified of their win today via email. The announcement was supported by an Aviva survey of 2,000 British families which revealed the extent of public participation in local causes, with 97% of Brits currently active or benefiting from grassroots groups:

  • 48% have done voluntary work for a local group 
  • 47% are involved fundraising for a local charity
  • 46% participate in a local sports team or club
  • 33% participate in a youth club or association

The research also found that of those surveyed, four out five (85%) fear for the long-term future of their group due to lack of funds.

Over 3,321 local groups entered the funding initiative, each galvanising the support of their local community to vote for their entry in four categories: health, disability and wellbeing; supporting the younger generation; supporting the older generation and community support. 4.1 million votes were placed and the 408 groups with the highest votes were shortlisted as finalists. Awards in the ?1k category were decided on by public votes, with winners in the ?5k, ?10k and ?25k categories selected from the finalists by a judging panel.

Projects bidding for ?5k and ?25k generated the highest number of entries and support for the younger generation was the most popular entry category (37%).

Heather Smith, Marketing Director of Aviva’s UK Direct business, said:

“The number of entrants and the diversity of causes that applied was incredible. Every entry had a powerful story to tell but many also revealed how they desperately need funding in order to continue the inspiring work that they do in the community.

“The reaction from the winners and everyone who supported their campaigns has been overwhelming. It proves that funding, even in small amounts, can make a difference and sustain the work of local groups that touch the lives of so many people”.

To see the full list of Aviva Community Fund winners visit: https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/winners