Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has welcomed news that four projects in Conwy are set to benefit from £16,685 of wind farm community funding.
The Wales Homes for Veterans project, Abergele Community Action (ACA), Abergele Neighbourhood Watch and Abergele and District Flower Club will all receive a slice of the funding from the RWE Innogy Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund.
The Wales Homes for Veterans project is run by Christian charity Alabaré and provides support and accommodation to help vulnerable ex-Armed Forces personnel regain their self-esteem and participate fully in community life.
Alabaré’s supported housing development in Colwyn Bay will receive £7,585, which will pay for new mountain bikes, hiking and wet weather gear, and outdoor activities, helping veterans improve their health and mental well-being by becoming more physically active.
Abergele Community Action (ACA) will receive £4,600 from the Fund. Operating from Hesketh House, ACA is a community facility at the heart of Abergele, which provides internet and IT resources for local agencies, such as Job Centre Plus, Benefits Advice Shop, Community Money Advice and Abergele District Food Bank.
The funding will provide new flooring and light fittings to reduce running costs and upgrade the security system.
Abergele Neighbourhood Watch are also set to benefit from £2,500 to encourage more members to take part in the community safety scheme, while Abergele and District Flower Club will benefit from £2,000 to hold community flower arranging workshops. The workshops will provide people of all ages with the opportunity to make friends and learn a new skill.
Darren said:
“I am absolutely delighted to hear that four projects in my constituency will benefit from this latest round of windfarm funding.
“They each do fantastic work in our local community and this funding will be a huge boost to them and enable them to continue promoting community spirit and enhancing the quality of life for life for local residents.
“I urge other community or voluntary groups, charities, and town and community councils in Conwy to follow suit and apply to the Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund, as they too could be eligible for a grant of between £2,000 and £10,000.”
Rachel McCartney from Alabaré Christian Care and Support, which runs the Wales Homes for Veterans project, said: “This will be a real boost to our residents. Being able to get out and about, becoming independent, engaging in physical activity and being active in the community can make all the difference between thriving and simply surviving”.
Linda Tavernor, Project Manager at Abergele Community Action, said: "We are delighted to receive funding from RWE Innogy which will help us to pay for necessary repairs and maintenance to our community facility. The IT suite, coffee lounge and meeting room are in constant use by local people and suffer inevitable wear and tear. We support many community groups as well as individuals and like to offer facilities in an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming.”
Katy Woodington, RWE Innogy UK’s Senior Community Investment Officer, said: “Rhyl Flats Community Fund has invested over £600,000 in North Wales since becoming operational in 2009. We are really proud to be supporting the communities hosting our renewable energy projects and helping to make a positive long term difference to the local area.”