Nisa’s latest Heart of the Community giveaway sees over £160k donated to good causes

Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity has helped retailers to support local projects and good causes with over £160,000 in donations with its latest round of Heart of the Community Awards.

Following a successful initial round of funding last October, the latest round of Heart of the Community Awards saw 53 good causes nationwide benefit from donations totalling £163,000, cementing the initiative as MADL’s biggest funding giveaway to date.

The initiative enable Nisa retailers to nominate a local community project to receive up to £5,000 of funding from MADL, with the emphasis in this round being on good causes that encourage communities to enjoy and spend time outdoors as we emerge from national lockdown restrictions.

Nominations were accepted from Nisa retailers via a dedicated website throughout April and May.

Winning donations will fund a wide range of projects and equipment, with just some examples including village fairs, sensory gardens at primary schools, kayaks for a water sports club, equipment for use by Scout groups, outdoor play and gym equipment and community growing gardens.

“With many of us likely to have spent much of the last year indoors due to national restrictions, we were keen to support causes that encourage or help communities to spend time outdoors this time around and we again received hundreds of very deserving nominations,” Kate Carroll, Nisa’s head of charity.

“The Heart of the Community Awards have also provided a great opportunity for independent retailers to engage with local causes and projects in need of support and we look forward to seeing how the funding will really make a difference for their local area.”

One good cause to benefit from funding of £5,000 was Penrhyncoch and Trefeurig Recreation and Sports Association (PATRASA), a committee of volunteers who help to maintain the community’s park and recreation areas.

Clare Larke, PATRASA chair said: “We are extremely grateful to Lynwen at Nisa Local Ty Mawr for nominating us. The team there are a constant source of support to PATRASA and the wider community; they are always willing to support PATRASA and have helped us immensely through the years through promoting and assisting with our events and fundraising efforts.”

“£5,000 will allow us to purchase seating that would be accessible to all, i.e. an inclusive seating space that has easy access for the elderly or others with mobility issues. We will not only be able to provide a lovely space for all members of the community to sit and enjoy the outdoors, but any excess will go towards the new play equipment which is so sorely needed.”