CHARITIES in Copeland have received a financial boost thanks to Nuclear Waste Services. The LLWR Grassroots Fund provides grants to charitable organisations that are addressing issues relating to the current economic crisis, supporting the younger generation with developing skills and vulnerable, older people.  

Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, the fund was set up in 2011 by waste management company, Low Level Waste Repository Ltd (LLWR), now trading as Nuclear Waste Services.

In that time, more than £130,000 has been awarded to local good causes, including a recent grant to Howgill Family Centre’s project Baby Basic West Cumbria.

Based in Cleator Moor, Baby Basics West Cumbria provides essential baby equipment, clothing and toiletries to women and families in Allerdale and Copeland, who are struggling with the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby.

The fund has received a recent boost of £50,000, meaning more good causes will continue to benefit. Martin Walkingshaw, chief operating officer for Nuclear Waste Services, says: “We’re proud of the important work that our fund is supporting but the real heroes are the volunteers that work with people in need. Being able to guarantee the future of Baby Basics for a further three years will help ensure that families can meet the key requirements for their newborns. It’s a privilege that we can play a part in providing essentials such as baby clothing that otherwise some may struggle to secure.”

 Other projects to recently benefit from the fund include Home to Work’s healthy food growing project, Whitehaven Community Trust, which provides accommodation for homeless 16-24 years olds, and Mirehouse Community Centre to support the Top of the Shops café manager post.