Gamers latest to get council handout

Their organisation has gained a share of the 20,000-plus which Arun District Council has distributed through its grant aid scheme.

Just one more round of funding will be available, as reported, before the council axes the initiative as part of its 3.2m cost-cutting measures. Its closing date will be August 12 for a meeting on October 7.

Those to have benefited from the latest awards include Bognor Regis Gaming Association. Its members meet to play games such as Warhammer, Lord of the Rings and Bloodbowl.

They applied for a grant to finance a regular venue as their previous meeting places in each other's houses proved too small for the larger

table-top games.

The 230 from Arun means the group can meet from 6.30pm-11pm every Tuesday at Newtown Sports and Social Club to enable it to attract new members.

The over-18s 'not for profit' Gaming Club Network organisation holds a large annual fundraising event to raise money for local children's charities.

Club chairman Frank Hill said: "We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity the district council's grant has provided to the association.

"Although it is early days, our first attendance surpassed our expectations and we hope to raise significant funds for local children's charities, the Christian Youth Enterprises Sailing Centre and Fair Play for Children.

"In the longer term, we will arrange fundraising tournaments and competitions to maximise our contribution to these charities.

"If there is sufficient interest, we may also initiate an over-12s club to provide entertainment for youths in the Bognor and Arun area."

The club's grant was among requests from 24 voluntary, community and charitable organisations considered by Arun's grants panel. Its members handed over awards which ranged from 135 to 5,300.

Other grants included 3,000 to Bognor Community Action Network which delivers low cost activities for children, 2,000 to the Rox free music and arts festival and 1,600 to Cruse West Sussex to train volunteers to assist people who have been bereaved.

Norman Dingemans, the council's cabinet member for cultural and economic development, said: "The people who work for these charities and organisations work tirelessly and are deserving of this financial boost.

"The grants not only make a difference to them. They make a real difference to the lives of the people they support."

It was regrettable, he continued, the council had to stop the grant aid programme. Support would still be offered to organisations through the Social Care Partnership Fund which also attracts backing from West Sussex County Council and NHS West Sussex.