20 Nov 2007 – O2’s £1million programme It’s Your Community has awarded over 350 projects across the UK since launching in July 2007 but only 20 of these applications have come from the South East of England. It’s Your Community is appealing to people across the South East to apply for cash awards of up to £1,000 and turn their ideas into a reality. Everyone wishes they could change one thing about where they live and O2’s It’s Your Community has £1 million available to individuals and groups to enable community projects to get off the ground. Projects awarded so far prove how small amounts of money can go a long way in building community spirit and improving people’s lives. Anything from flame throwing at a circus school in Cardiff to a paddling upstream at a canoe club in Edinburgh have received awards due to their innovative ways of keeping young people off the street. It’s Your Community welcomes all great ideas! The South East has had some success. The Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC) was awarded £1,000 in October for its efforts to engage the attention and interest of young members through the use of angling. “This unique past time has been a success and going to the river to fish has struck a chord with some of the young people. Thanks to the It’s Your Community award we can purchase so much more equipment and keep the activity alive.” Said ARC worker James White-Doyle “We’d love to get more ideas from the South East,” explains Cath Keers, O2’s Customer Director. “So far there have been just over 20 and we know there must be many more people who want to get out there and do something in their local area. We’re here to help them make it happen.” Each month over 60 projects throughout the UK receive up to £1000 of It’s Your Community funding. Awards must be for the benefit of the community or to build community spirit. For more information about the hundreds of projects which have already received an award and how to apply for one, visit www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk. -ends-

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