Four community initiatives across the King Country will receive a financial hand thanks to the latest Heartland Community Funding round.
$6,000 was awarded to the Raetihi Community Charitable Trust, King Country Christmas, Little Barrow Markets, and Redgate Newsletters in recognition of their dedication to enhance the King Country.
The Little Barrow Markets will put their $2,000 grant toward kickstarting Ohakune’s own winter farmers’ market.
Sarah Knight, founder and coordinator of the Little Barrow Markets, says the market will bring together local farmers and families, and has the potential to become a destination for tourists passing through.
“We’re a not-for-profit social enterprise and still at the beginning stages of the project, so grants like the Heartland Community Fund go a long way, and we’re really grateful,” says Knight.
Established in 2014 by King Country Energy, the Heartland Community Fund has supported more than 80 King Country community groups that are committed to a safer, healthier, sustainable and more connected King Country community.
As part of the recent takeover from King Country Energy, Trustpower has committed to continuing the fund for at least the next five years, recognising its value and importance in the King Country.
“Through working with communities around New Zealand we’ve seen how grassroots initiatives can enhance the health and well-being of local people and their projects. We’re looking forward to continuing this support in the King Country through the Heartland Community Fund,” says Trustpower Community and Communications Advisor, Alice Boyd.
The Heartland Community Fund will be renamed the ‘Trustpower Heartland Community Fund’, and will continue to offer three funding rounds each year.
Applications for the next funding round open on 1 November 2018.
For more information about the Trustpower Heartland Community Fund, visit www.trustpower.co.nz/heartland.
