THERE are so many clubs and organisations in Blaenau Gwent really making a difference in our communities and so its great to see them getting the help they deserve thanks to the Big Lottery Fund.

Since it was first set up, BIG has given over £600 million to good causes across Wales and its latest round of funding has seen almost £8,000 given to groups in the area.

£3,000 granted to Valleys Angel Movers in Tredegar that will use the money to dance classes to help improve member’s health and well-being; £2,366 to Ebbw Vale Cricket Club to improve facilities surrounding the pitch and £2,575 to Tredegar Quilting Circle to purchase equipment and hire a tutor to increase the skills of their group and increase its membership capacity.

But do you know that BIG has a number of programmes available to people to apply for funding for a variety of different reasons?

Funding programmes currently on offer include People and Places – this funds capital and revenue projects that encourage action by people who want to make their communities better places to live; Awards for All Wales – aims to support projects that support community activity; Heroes Return 2 – provides money to help World War II veterans that saw active service to take part in commemorative visits; International Communities – tackles the causes of poverty and deprivation and will bring about long-term difference to the lives of the most disadvantaged people in the world by giving grants to UK-based groups working with partners overseas to run projects; Rethink Good Health – helps to prevent alcohol misuse among older people.

If you think you could benefit from any of those grants, its worth getting in touch with Big Lottery Fund on www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or call 0300 123 0735.

Please feel free to get in touch with me if you need any help or advice.

Speaking of clubs making a difference, I would like to say a huge congratulations to Tredegar Town Band in taking the title at this years British Open Championships.

Its an outstanding achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of all its members. Long may the band’s success continue.

On Friday, October 4 I’ll be in Ebbw Vale market holding a street surgery. Feel free to come over and say hello or if you need to speak to me in the mean time, give my office a call on 01495 311160 or email alun.davies@wales.gov.uk