Bid for a share of pounds 10k charity pot; Christmas Wishes.

MAKE a Christmas Wish to grab your group a share of pounds 10,000!

This Christmas offers a very special opportunity for Birmingham Mail readers who are involved in supporting a local community group or charity.

Last year, the Mail launched the highly successful Get Involved campaign with the West Bromwich Building Society and its partner organisation, the Mercian Trust.

The Get Involved campaign offered pounds 20,000 which was divided into individual grants of up to pounds 250 to help the tremendous work charities and community groups carry out on behalf of local people.

The response was so fantastic that nearly 120 local charities and community groups from around the Birmingham area - who do so much to tackle hardship - benefited from the scheme.

And now, with Christmas just around the corner, we are delighted to announce the Christmas Wishes campaign, which is offering a fantastic pounds 10,000 to support even more local community groups and charities.

WHAT'S ON OFFER?

Providing you are an established community group or small charity we would like to offer up to pounds 250 as a boost to the great work you do this Christmas. The Mercian Trust, which administers the fund on behalf of the West Bromwich Building Society, has a wide spectrum of criteria to help support groups tackling genuine social need. For instance, it has already helped provide:

a christmas activity for pensioners

Funds for library books and an environmental school project

new christmas toys for deprived children

Home security locks to support neighbourhood safety schemes

support for a playgroup to help with children in poorer areas

a special christmas play scheme for children with disabilities

outings for socially isolated older people

Facilities for survivors of strokes or other physical disabilities

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for a Christmas Wish grant of up to pounds 250, download an application from www.birminghammail.net/christmaswishes All you need to do is print it off, complete the form and return to the address provided along with a supporting letter. Alternatively send an email to [e-mail] titled CHRISTMAS WISHES and we will email you an application form. All applications must be received by Monday 8th December 2008.Those community groups who applied (successful or not) for funding with the earlier campaign are more than welcome to apply again, but priority will be given to new applications.

If you have any queries, please call Brian Seymour-Smith at West Bromwich Building Society on 0870 220 7785.

Community support and involvement is very much part of the West Bromwich Building Society's outlook. Every year, it invests substantially in numerous local community initiatives. The Christmas Wishes campaign will help spread assistance even wider. The Mercian Trust is a charity which evolved in 2003 from the Diocese of Lichfield Church Urban Fund set up in 1997.

The Diocese of Lichfield administers the Mercian Trust Fund with the West Bromwich Building Society who, together, aim to support various good causes as illustrated in this article. The Mercian Trust is committed to tackling issues such as social exclusion, isolation and the exploitation of people who are oppressed by poverty and disadvantage.

The Trust operates primarily in the Diocese but also has a wider mandate

Rules and teRms and conditions: to receive funding, this application form must be completed and signed with acceptance of the rules and regulations regarding this award. Funding will only be given to recognised groups or charities. every application must either come with a supporting letter on 'letter headed' paper or come with a supporting letter, signed by the organiser of your community group with a bona fide address and contact details. the supporting letter must explain briefly why your charity/organisation deserves support. donations will not be made to political or similar organisations. a receipt must be sent from your organisation should your application be successful. no payment will be made to individuals. the Board of the mercian trust reserves the right to request sight of invoices for capital items. the final decision will be taken by the Board of the mercian trust. if you do not hear within 20 days, then we regret your application has not been successful. the mercian trust's decision is final. Proof of posting or other delivery is not proof of receipt and the Birmingham mail accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged entries. incomplete, illegible or incorrect entries will be invalid. successful applications/groups may be required to take part in publicity.