Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund smashes through £2million milestone
The Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund is celebrating reaching an impressive milestone as the total awarded hits £2million. Also celebrating are the 15 groups who were successful in the latest round of funding which took the total to £2,030,642.
Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, said: “We’re proud to have reached the huge milestone of £2million awarded to the organisations near our Burbo Bank wind farms. The range of groups and projects that have been awarded in this round is great to see. We look forward to seeing the next round of applicants.”
One of the latest groups to benefit from funding is The Orrell Trust. The Trust is to receive £5,682 to support their weekly club, ‘The Jolly Soap Opera Mob’, for adults (aged 18-30) with additional needs. There are considerable barriers facing young adults with additional needs that inhibit their access to and appreciation of nature and the environment. This project looks to address those barriers and will see the club enjoy a focussed programme of environmental activities to inspire and inform a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
Matt Jeziorski, CEO at The Orrell Trust, said: “This grant is wonderful news for young adults who come to our Jolly Soap Opera Mob who so often find barriers inhibiting their access to and appreciation of nature and the environment. As a result of this funding, they will be better equipped and informed to make positive and sustainable choices in their day-to-day lives whilst developing a fuller appreciation of the natural world around them and the opportunities it provides.”
Marine Conservation Society will also soon be able to start a project to widen involvement in marine citizen science in the North Wales and Liverpool bay area, thanks to a £10,000 grant. The volunteer citizen scientists will be involved in habitat and species surveys, wildlife sightings, beach cleans and litter surveys across the area covered by the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund.
Hannah Bester, Senior Manager, Volunteering & Citizen Science Team at Marine Conservation Society, said: “We’re extremely grateful to receive funding from the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund. This funding will aid the engagement, training and support offered to volunteer citizen scientists across the North Wales and Liverpool bay areas. Volunteers will have the opportunity to develop skills and enjoy new activities, along with the added wellbeing benefits that participation provides. Work will empower local people to act, collecting data towards scientific research, campaign work and further meaningful change in legislation, harnessing the power of local communities and driving meaningful change for people and ocean conservation.”
The full list of organisations awarded grants under the latest round of the Burbo Bank Extension Community Benefit Fund are as follows:
The Fund is being managed by national grant-making charity GrantScape and more details can be found at GrantScape’s website www.grantscape.org.uk or by calling 01908 247634. The closing dates for the next two funding rounds are 25 September 2024 and 9th April 2025.
Each year for the expected 25-year lifetime of the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm, approximately £225,000 will be made available for community projects, which will benefit the local area.
Ørsted’s Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm was officially opened in May 2017 and is capable of meeting the electricity demand of well over 230,000 homes. It was the first offshore wind farm in the world to commercially demonstrate the massive 8MW MHI Vestas turbines which stand at a staggering 195m, tall from sea-level to tip.