Last month we announced that nominations were open once again for The Broadwalk Centre’s Community Fund, which offers local charities, organisations and projects the chance of winning £500 to spend on anything they would like that will help them to enhance their service.

After receiving multiple nominations for the December donation, three finalists have been selected and it is up to you, the readers, to decide who will receive this month’s £500 offering.

The nominees for the December Community Fund are:

Sai School of Harrow

Sai School of Harrow is a free Saturday School which was set up 18 years ago by 5 housewives.  Sai School has worked tirelessly to break down barriers and forged partnership programmes to bring about positive changes and become an inspirational icon for Harrow. The School has recently relocated from Stanburn in Stanmore to Shaftesbury High School. The unique Saturday School is run by a dedicated team of 40 volunteers and delivers a multi faith and citizenship educational programme to its 300 pupils.

The Sai Citizens programme was launched in 2004 encouraging children and youths from ethnic minority communities to feel a sense of pride in being British and support charities to work in partnership with local organisations. The school has retained its focus on educational activities, ensuring a balanced educational programme is delivered which includes multi faith teachings, human values and the citizenship programme is delivered as well as performing arts and cultural activities where free sessions are hosted for singing and playing instruments.
If Sai School wins the £500, we will host an event in partnership with Shaftesbury Special Needs High School where Sai School is currently located to enable our pupils to buddy up with Shaftesbury pupils and forge long term friendships to bring about positive changes.

Youth Music Centre

Youth Music Centre is a local charity established in the Borough of Barnet in 1967 by a group of local musicians who wanted to give their children the opportunity to discover the excitement of making music and friendship. Only one of its founders - Kay Hurwitz remains and is still very active every Saturday morning! Little did this group know that from their small beginnings, now flourishes one of London's longest running music centres with over 200 children and young adults sharing their passion for music.
The Youth Music Centre operates every Saturday morning in Bigwood House, near Golders Green. The doors open from 8.30am until 1pm with a variety of music lessons from learning an instrument to playing in groups or orchestras.

The current rise of children wanting to become involved in music has increased and music making has been shown to provide social development, communication and confidence building.
The aim of the Youth Music Centre is to make music accessible to all children in North London, regardless of their parent's financial circumstances. They try to develop new music skills where possible and strive to be as accessible as possible.

Youth Music Centre would like to be considered for £500 Community Fund to help support their aim to provide music to all children from North London through their musical activities. They will be able to purchase music equipment to use during the lessons as well as assisting those who may be unable to afford the music lessons.

The Good Neighbour Scheme for Mill Hill & Burnt Oak

The Good Neighbour Scheme is a small charity that provides assistance to the elderly residents of Mill Hill and Burnt Oak. Twice a week it holds a lunch club where individuals come to socialise and receive a hot meal. Some are only able to attend because The Good Neighbour Scheme provides a minibus that picks them up from their home and takes them back.
Provision of this service costs around £50 a time for hire charge and fuel but if they were to win the £500 donation from The Broadwalk Centre they would be able to run this bus service for approximately one month.

Voting is easy, simply email thebroadwalk@pmwcom.co.uk with the name of the project you want to win in the subject box, visit our website www.times-series.co.uk or vote via a poll on The Broadwalk Centre’s Facebook page.  The closing date to register your vote is Sunday 15th December.

The Broadwalk Centre and The Times Series will be giving away £500 through the Community Fund every other month so it’s not too late to send a nomination. You can write to The Broadwalk Centre, c/o PMW Communications, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9HP or email thebroadwalk@pmwcom.co.uk