Sirius Minerals Foundation dig deep to donate £80,000 to Scarborough sports clubs

The Sirius Minerals Foundation has given grants totalling £250,000 to improve the facilities of seven sport clubs throughout the region.

Grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 each are part of a drive by the Foundation to increase participation in amateur sports across Teesside, East Cleveland and the Whitby and Scarborough areas.

The Foundation have handed Scarborough Disabled Swimming Group a £50,000 contribution towards the purchase and installation of sensory lighting and equipment for the village pool to enable children, older people and people with a disability to take an active part in swim sessions.

Scalby Cricket Club were also awarded a £30,000 contribution to the completion of their pavilion extension and the complete renovation of the clubhouse at their Carr Lane ground to bring new cricket facilities to the area.

David Archer, chairman of the Foundation said: “It has always been important to us that the local area benefits as much as possible and amateur sports clubs are an important part of the social fabric of the area and can make such a positive difference to people, helping them lead healthier and more fulfilled lives.

“The board was pleased to see a range of high-quality applications for a range of sports.

“During the very tough selection process, we made the decision to increase the original budget of £200,000 to almost £250,000.”

This funding follows a £52,000 programme of smaller grants awarded to 56 clubs in September to purchase kit, equipment or invest in training.

The charity was set up by Sirius Minerals to share some of the economic benefits of the company’s multi-billion pound Polyhalite mining project, which is being built in Whitby and Teesside.