YOUTH groups and other organisations working with young people are being encouraged to apply for a share of �10,000 that the Youth District Council has available for grants again this year.

Decisions on the size of the hand-outs and who should get them are taken by the YDC members themselves.

Sollie Davies, the YDC’s finance officer, said: “People can apply at any time between now and next March and we regularly look at applications. But don’t wait too long: once all the money is gone, it’s gone.”

This year the YDC has already awarded �575 to support children and young people’s art activities at the Chatteris Historic Festival; it has also received applications for youth clubs in the district.

Last year it handed out �10,000 in grants to 14 groups. They included:

• The school council at Cromwell Community College in Chatteris to support its anti-bullying campaign (�373)

• March and District Girl Guides for new camping equipment (�1,000)

• The Wisbech and Fenland Museum to enable it to lay on holiday arts and crafts sessions (�232)

• The 1220 (March) Squadron Air Training Corps, for new equipment to help the cadets with educational projects and earn extra qualifications (�1,000)

Councillor Steve Garratt, FDC’s portfolio holder responsible for young people, said: “I’m absolutely delighted the YDC is continuing with its grants scheme.

“The money makes a huge difference to all sorts of young people throughout Fenland and the fact that YDC members make all the decisions about where it goes guarantees that it supports the sort of things that young people really want.”