Community groups urged to bid for Lottery cash for Coronation events

The Coronation ceremony for King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6th May in Westminster Abbey.

The Coronation will see people across the UK and Commonwealth come together to celebrate. The Coronation programme will include the procession and service at Westminster Abbey followed later by a Coronation Concert broadcast live from Windsor Castle by the BBC, a ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ across the country on Sunday 7th May and a ‘Big Help Out’ community activity across the nation on the Monday 8th May bank holiday.

The Coronation Big Lunch – which is being organised by the Eden Project - encourages communities to come together, celebrate and get to know each other better. For more details on getting involved in the Coronation Big lunch visit www.edenprojectcommunities.com

The Big Help Out on 8th May is being organised nationally by the Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom.

It will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. For more details on how to get involved visit www.thebighelpout.org.uk

National Lottery funding of up to £10,000 is available to community groups for events and activities through the National Lottery Awards For All programme.

National Lottery Awards For All does not have a deadline, but it can take up to 12 weeks from submitting an application to receiving funding, which means any applications for the Coronation Weekend should be made before the middle of February. For more information visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/under10k

Denise McGuckin, Hartlepool Borough Council Managing Director, said: “Hartlepool has a very strong tradition of community celebration and the Coronation of His Majesty The King will be a national and Commonwealth celebration like no other.

“The Government is inviting community groups to bid for Lottery money to help them with events and activities over the Coronation Weekend and – if they haven’t already done so - I would very much encourage them to apply.”