North East community groups could land a share of £100,000 Pride of Britain fund supporting local heroes
by Emily Gray · ChronicleLiveTo commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, a new fund of £100,000 has been launched to support community heroes - meaning local heroes could land a grant up to £2,500.
One such charity which goes the extra mile to make Newcastle a better place for the local community is Women's Street Watch (WSW) Newcastle. Founded in 2021 following the tragic murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, a group of local women frustrated by the lack of safety for women at night and in public spaces said took matters into their own hands.
Dressed in recognisable pink hi-vis jackets, they began patrolling the streets of Newcastle to offer support, safety and assistance to women in need, reiterating the message 'Safety is a Right, Not a Privilege.'
Operating every Friday and Saturday night, the team offers everything from phone chargers and snacks to a safe space for vulnerable women. With a dedicated base in the city centre, a bright pink van named 'Wilma' parked in the Bigg Market, they work alongside Northumbria Police and other services, making them a visible and essential part of Newcastle's night-time safety landscape.
One of the newest volunteers, Clover, says: "I’ve always been passionate about women’s safety due to my own personal experience, so volunteering with WSW really helps me feel that I am contributing to something I am passionate about while also building my confidence.
"I've realised that learning to advocate for others has helped me learn to advocate for myself. I really enjoy being on shift because, at the end of the day, we are just girls being girls and looking out for each other. It’s a very wholesome experience."
Hannah, Outreach Director said: “It felt like no-one else was doing anything. The panic you feel as an emergency contact if you don’t receive that 'I’m home safe' text is debilitating. Your chest feels like it’s being crushed and the dread kicks in. WSW want to support women in any way we can, so we’ll be out there doing whatever it takes to keep women safe. Enough is enough - no more curfew for women."
Sophie, WSW Social Director, added: "We do more than just look after women on a night out – we are often the first on scene for assaults, and the first place a woman will turn when she has experienced sexual violence on a night out in Newcastle. And we are there – we are there with a mug of tea, and a fluffy blanket, and sisterhood, and solidarity."
The group, which now has over 500 members and an incredible active volunteer force, is always on the look out for new volunteers, and vows to not stop 'until everyone woman of Newcastle is free to dance and laugh and be free.'
Charities like WSW are the perfect example of deserving recipients that could be nominated for the Pride of Britain Fund.
Local heroes could land up to £2,500 to help them boost their communities, thanks to a new fund set up to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards. Grants of £2,500, £1,000 and £500 are all available as part of the Pride of Britain Fund’s £100,000 giveaway for good causes, and you can nominate the people or groups who you think should receive it.
It could be someone who devotes their time to make sure older people have companionship and a warm meal, or an unsung hero who spruces up the high street with flowers. It may also be a sports club, where volunteers give kids a safe space to play, or a youth group putting people on the path to a brighter future.
The £100,000 giveaway is part of celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, which are screened on ITV1 on Thursday. The fund, a charity that aims to spread the Pride of Britain spirit, was set up to help charities and community organisations across the UK.
It has already given grants to more than 100 groups, including Manchester youth charity N-Gage, which was founded by Christie Spurling, and has helped to transform thousands of young lives. A £30,000 grant from the Pride of Britain Fund helped his charity buy a mobile youth club to engage with young people in the places they hang out. The converted 25-seater bus is kitted out with games consoles, tablets and music technology.
When Carol Vorderman announced the grant, Christie said: “It’s amazing. Thank you so much. I am literally speechless. It will make a massive difference.” Grants of £500, £1,000 or £2,500 are available, and you can apply for help with work you are doing, or you can nominate someone you know about to receive funding.
The Pride of Britain team will create a shortlist, but the final decision will rest with local communities all over the country, so you will be able to vote on who gets the funding in your area. To apply, scan the QR code and complete the online form or go to reachforms.co.uk/POB to access the form.
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