Seven Bath area charities and community groups are today sharing £5,500 from Bath Building Society’s annual charity awards scheme. A further three have have received pairs of Bath Building Society hot-air balloon tickets to use to raise funds.
The awards, now in their seventh year, were established to support as many local initiatives as possible from the ever-growing number of requests the society receives each week.
Chief executive Dick Jenkins said: “I am really pleased that since we launched the awards the number of applications has increased year on year and this year is no different.
“Through the programme we aim to help as many community groups and charities as possible. It was a tough competition but we found our winners in the end.”
BBC Points West newsreader Imogen Sellers, who was one of the judges, said: “It was great to be a judge although very hard to choose between so many worthy causes. I hope the winners can make great use of the money to continue the good work they do.”
Among the projects benefitting from an award of £1,500 is the Zenith Youth Theatre Group, which is run entirely by volunteers. It has a no-audition-to-join policy for all young people aged between 13 and 21 who demonstrate an enthusiasm and commitment to the group’s aim of musical theatre to the highest standard. Anyone within the age range can be involved in any aspect of theatre production and presentation.
Pictured: Dick Jenkins of Bath Building Society with the Mayor of Bath and children and helpers from Odd Down at Play
Group chair Chris Jones said: “Winning £1,500 in our golden anniversary year marks a significant milestone for Zenith Youth Theatre Company. The money will go towards sound and lighting equipment at our rehearsal venue, St Marks Community Centre in Widcombe. The equipment will be available to other users of the centre and will enable groups to stage mini plays, dance and professional presentations with quality sound and lighting. The installation is scheduled for August and will benefit all members of the local community for many years to come”.
Full list of winners:
The Zenith Youth Theatre, Bath – £1,500
The Trauma Recovery Centre, Twerton – £1,000
Working in Support of Holidays (WISH), Bath – £1,000
The Bath Toy Library – £500
Odd Down at Play, Bath – £500
BridgeCare, Bath – £500
The Family Centre, Bristol – £500
Bath Mind – a pair of Balloon Tickets
Larkhall Sports Centre – a pair of Balloon Tickets
1st Radstock Scout Group – a pair of Balloon Tickets
