COMMUNITY champions with ideas to improve life for their neighbours could be due a cash windfall.

Over the last three and a half years, the Community Foundation has awarded £270,000 to 222 projects run by individuals across Greater Manchester.

Grants were given to Community Champions who identified a need in their local community and this money enabled them to turn their idea into a reality.

One of these Community Champions is Dave Philips, who, as a qualified rugby coach, wanted to get more young people involved in the sport.

He received a grant from the Community Champions Fund to support his idea of going into local schools in Leigh and teaching kids the rugby basics.

The success of the project took Dave by surprise and he has since been able to set up various teams of boys and girls, equip them with kit and provide them with ongoing coaching.

An area where provisions for young people are always short, Dave's project has given many youngsters something to do and helps them stay off the streets and spend their time keeping fit and healthy. The project has grown beyond Dave's expectations and it all started with a grant from the Community Champions Fund.

Have you got a similar idea, or do you want to do something completely different to serve your local community but need some financial help to get it up and running?

Then contact The Community Foundation on 0161 214 0940 and ask to speak to Robert Norris or Tracey Holgate. You can discuss your idea and request an application pack

Some of the projects we have funded in the past include: self-help groups, food co-operatives, healthy living activities such as exercise classes for older people, cooking workshops, swimming clubs for women from ethnic minority backgrounds, life skills for children and young people, better reading for parents from ethnic minority backgrounds and support groups for parents of bullied children.

For applications up to £400 a decision can be made within one month.

Applications up to £2000 are submitted to quarterly panels.