THE next round of voting is underway at a Launceston store, which will see local causes receive cash grants.
The latest round of voting for Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme is underway until February 28.
Shoppers can vote using a token given to them once they have bought their goods for one of three causes.
The cause that receives the most votes will be given £4,000, while the other causes will receive £2,000 or £1,000, depending on the number of votes.
Bags of Help is Tesco’s local community grant scheme where the money raised by the sale of carrier bags is used to fund local projects.
Administration of the local funding is being managed by the community charity Groundwork.
Mandy Kenyon, member of Lifton Community Centre, said the Tesco grant would help with landscaping for the new community centre.
She said: “Things are going well at the new centre. We are currently just starting to use the building but there are areas that need to be finished. We still need to fund raise for furniture and equipment as well as the landscaping element that the Tesco scheme should help with.
“Local people have been very supportive and patient. Activities already starting include, first aid, French for beginners, relaxation, beavers, cubs, scouts, private parties, archery, karate. There have also been yoga and Tai Chi enquiries so they should be starting soon.
“The local drama group The Red Spider Company will be performing the centre’s inaugural community play, Fantastic Mr Fox, on February 8, 9 and 10.”
An official launch and open day are being planned, and everyone in the village will be invited to the open day.
Rachel Stratton, chair of St Giles on the Heath FPTA, said they are looking to raise in the region of £10,000 for the activity sports trail, which money from the Bags of Help scheme would be put towards.
As a bigger project longer term, the FPTA also wants to provide a sports pitch, as the school’s current playground is tarmac, which floods. This could cost in the region of £80,000, so the FPTA is planning fundraising events.
Rachel said: “We’ve got lots of events planned this year. We are working very closely with the school to try and get the facilities right up to scratch because lots of schools are marked for closure. We want to keep our school strong.”
Over the last few years it has been the vision of the setting staff and families of Early Birds Nursery, Bude to revamp the tired garden space. There is a paved space alongside a steep bank and a banked area for the children to use.
However, unfortunately this area can easily develop potholes and become an unsuitable space for children to play in and so, to ensure it is a usable space all year around, the nursery has now levelled it off and will use gravel grids before laying grass turf to ensure that potholes can no longer be formed.
The nursery also hopes to plant some trees and different greenery to bring a more natural feel to the garden alongside the manmade paving. By having more ‘green’ spaces, the children get to see change over time and explore how the weather and seasons affect the natural environment.
Nursery manager Alex Kimmins said: “At Early Birds, we recognise that sensory and outdoor play is vital for the children’s learning and development and want to enhance opportunities for this. We’re also keen to use the fact that we are located in the seaside town of Bude as a theme for the garden space. With this in mind, we hope to purchase a low level ‘beach hut sandpit’ so the children can connect their experience in the real world at nursery, testing their ideas and inspiring meaningful communication opportunities.
“We also recognise the importance of being active and developing the children’s physical skills to set them up for lifelong health and wellbeing. We want the children to be able to take risks and learn their boundaries in a safe environment so we would also like to purchase some equipment that would support and encourage this, and help to develop their gross motor skills.”
To apply for a grant, nominate a project or for more information on the scheme, visit tesco.com/bagsofhelp