Advertiser Cash for the Community grants help more worthy Rotherham causes — and there’s still time to apply

Run in association with the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings, the Cash For The Community project has so far seen more than £16,000 given away to groups working to make Rotherham a better place.

We have secured another £10,000 to help crime reduction and the latest grants to be awarded will go towards a project aiming to beat hate crime and a community bonfire with a difference.

Step Up Beat Hate has been granted £1,000 to work with young people who have been given reparation hours orders to educate them on the effects of hate crime.

SUBH’s Nicole Slater said: “This will involve awareness raising sessions with young people who will then be working creatively to educate other young people as well as the local community in order to provide an understanding of hate crime and how you can report it.”

The money awarded will pay for materials and contributions to staff salaries.

Swinton Community Bonfire has been given £890 towards the cost of display fireworks and volunteer refreshments.

The town’s sports and health group, along with St Margaret’s Church, wanted to restore the annual bonfire, but extend the project so it included clean-up days, wood collecting and the tidying of the churchyard and vicarage field.

Volunteer stewards will also be recruited and a training event held in collaboration with first aiders and the fire service.

Project manager Ken Wyatt said the November 5 event would help prevent misuse of fireworks and anti-social behaviour on the night, and added: “This is more than just a bonfire and firework display.

“The event will act as an incentive and reward for all the community-based activities taking place before.”

Community groups applying for a grant must be non-profit making and their projects need to fit in with the PCC’s priorities of protecting vulnerable people, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and treating people fairly.

You can apply by filling out the application form here or by asking for a copy at our town centre office in Howard Street.

Terms and conditions are here.