The funding came from the Coastal-Burwood Community Board’s strengthening communities fund.
The purpose of the fund is to support community-focused organisations with projects that strengthen community well-being in the area.
Successful applicants are outlined in the community board agenda as being able to demonstrate they are sustainable, strategic, community-focused groups which benefit the community.
New Brighton Community Gardens Trust manager Catherine O’Neill said receiving $20,000 towards operational costs means she will be able to commit more time to her role
“We can do more, we can outreach more, hopefully, outreach more to the community. Our gardens are pretty big and organised and you need to have some leadership in a garden.
“We can’t survive without these funds coming in.”
Parklands Christchurch Softball United president Darryll Hamilton said its $2000 grant would go towards replacing three bags of equipment, which were stolen from its gear shed in June, and replacing worn-out gear in general.
“The funding is getting harder and harder to get and when we do get funding like that, don’t you worry, we do appreciate it. Otherwise, what we’re doing is we’re putting our fee of subs up higher and as a rule, generally, the subs do not pay for any gear.”
A-Town Boxing Gym received $4500 towards its Champion 4 Life Boxing programme, which it runs at Chisnallwood Intermediate and Haeata Community Campus and equipment costs.
Said gym owner Jamie Roberts: “It helps keep us going. Champion 4 Life . . . we go in and do some stuff and try and encourage the kids to do their best, stop making excuses, own your mistakes . . . we can say things as coaches that teachers can’t and mums and dads as well.”
New Brighton Project, which organises community initiatives, including the New Brighton Seaside Market, was granted of $23,000 towards operating costs.
Co-ordinator Martha Baxendell said the money will go towards things like printing costs for its monthly Wave newsletter, its office rental and staff wages.
“It just means that we’re able to continue the work that we do . . . it’s also really important that we carry on supporting our community and creating good connections for people through our initiatives.”
Other community groups included:
Burwood Community Church Trust received $15,000 to go towards Powerhouse Youth Ministries and 24-7 youth worker programmes.
QE II Swim Club received $2000 to go towards coach wages.
Youth Alive Trust received $5000 towards volunteer and mentoring co-ordinator wages.
Dallington Community Trust received $13,000 towards rent, public liability insurance, its newsletter and its community movie.
Wainoni Avonside Community Services Trust received $11,000 towards wages and overheads.
