REGISTRATION has now opened for Cash for Kids Sports Challenge fundraising event.

Cash for Kids, run by CFM radio held the event last year and granted over £16,000 to four local children’s sports groups across Cumbria and applications are now open for this year’s competition.

The fundraising challenge is aimed at groups providing sports and fitness activities for children up to 18 years who have a disability or come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Cash for Kids, who team up with the News & Star at Christmas for the annual Toy Appeal, want to hear in particular from those who have schemes in place to support children without funds to attend such activities, and those who aim to keep children in a safe and fun environment and off some of our vulnerable streets.

Cash for Kids will be looking for 10 groups from Cumbria and South West Scotland to take part in a five week fundraising challenge at the end of September and throughout October. Groups will compete against each other to raise as much money as possible through events, challenges and collections. Each groups can keep all money raised to fund new equipment, sports kits, update facilities and recruit new members.

The charity will then match the amount up to £1,000, giving them the opportunity to receive a grant of at least £2,000. The team who raise the most money, will receive an additional £1,500, plus there are four awards where another £500 can be won.

2018 finalists and club coach for Wigton Amateur Boxing Club, Dale Blaylock, said: “The funding from the sports challenge helped save our club and gave us vital money to be able to buy new equipment for our young children. It also gave our club some much needed publicity through our various social media accounts, boosting the profile of our club in the local and surrounding areas, in which we seen an increase in membership around that period.

“I would recommend any sports club to apply for this great project, as it not only could bring much needed funding for their group, but also bring the whole club together as a team for their chosen sports and groups.”

To qualify for the sports challenge, groups must demonstrate their aim to help children who are ill, disabled or disadvantaged, favourable consideration will be given to projects who directly benefit a large number of children and/or positively increase the quality of their lives.

The application is open until Sunday September 15 and local groups are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

For more information and to apply to take part visit www.cfmradio.co.uk/sportschallenge