Community fund in memory of Powys politician opens for 2025
After a year of fundraising in memory of Welsh politician Mick Bates, a community fund established by his family has officially opened for applications after already giving away more than £10,000 to local groups and initiatives.
The fund officially opened on June 1, having been set up by the family of the former Assembly Member shortly after he passed away in August 2022 from bone cancer. He served as Member of the Welsh Assembly for Montgomeryshire from 1999 to 2011.
Ruth Bates, Mick's daughter, said: 'We're deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our fundraising - whether through events or online donations.
'The Fund's purpose is to bring people together to create positive change. Mick believed in action and in the power of people working side by side to make a difference.
'We hope these grants will play a small but meaningful role in improving lives and strengthening communities.'
Having initially raised funds through donations to the JustGiving page, donations at the funeral and fundraising events, the fund then invited community groups and charities that work to benefit the people of Montgomeryshire, particularly Llanfair Caereinion and the Banwy Valley to apply for grant funding.
The fund was able to distribute more than £10,000 to community groups and initiatives, such as Llanfair Caereinion Institute, Ffrindiau Ysgol Bro Caereinion Friends, Cancer Research Llanfair Caereinion Branch, Llanfair Caereinion Bowling Club, New Life Church, Cylch Meithrin Banw, Llanfair United Football Club, and Caffi Cymunedol Llanfair Caereinion Community Café.
The Fund invites applications from community groups and charities working to benefit the people of Montgomeryshire, with particular focus on those serving Llanfair Caereinion and the Banwy Valley. Grants of between £100 and £1,000 are available.
Cadvan Evans, Chair of the Mick Bates Community Memorial Trust Fund, added: 'This Fund is about keeping Mick's legacy alive by supporting the causes he cared about most - young people, the environment, helping those in need, and community development.'
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