Mansfield Building Society donated a total of £20,000 to 40 local organisations and clubs in 2016 through its Community Support Scheme.

The scheme was launched in 2008 and aims to support community groups in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire by providing funding to help support local people. Applications are considered twice yearly in May and November by a panel which includes employees and two independent members.

The awards have helped a variety of organisations deliver on a range of activities and projects. 1st Clipstone Scout Group were awarded £500 for the purchase of new kayak equipment, £500 was awarded to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for the completion of a bridge in their nature reserve and Phoenix Concert Band were awarded £600 to purchase music stands and sheet music.

Other successful groups in 2016 included the Mansfield Samaritans, Nottingham Piscatorial Society, Hucknall Boys Amateur Boxing Club and Mansfield Street Pastors. The Society has even been challenged to a match with Britannia Bowling Club after they were successful in their application for £1,000 for the purchase of a specialised mower for their bowling green.

Richard Crisp, Commercial Development Executive at The Mansfield, said: “As a mutual building society we believe in contributing to the communities that we serve. Not only have we enabled these groups to do more, we hope the funding will help build relationships between organisations and local people. It is wonderful to see these groups grow and thrive, and we are incredibly proud to support them.”

Applications are now being received for the May 2017 Community Support Scheme awards panel. If you are part of a local group and would like to submit an application, please apply via the form found on our website at http://mansfieldbs.co.uk/in-the-community/community-support-scheme and post it to Mansfield Building Society, Regent House, Regent Street, Mansfield, Notts, NG18 1SS or email it to [email protected]