Grimsby Cleethorpes & Humber Region YMCA

Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA is pleased to announce that it has been voted to first place in the North Lincolnshire region by supporters in the NatWest Community Force Awards 2011.

Throughout the early autumn members of the public were able to cast a vote of support to their favourite local charity, helping their preferred cause to be awarded £6000 towards its vital work. As votes closed on 24th October, Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA had received 366 votes of support from friends and followers, placing it ahead of other regional contenders. Following a short period of scrutiny, the NatWest Community Force team announced the winners on Monday 28th November.

Jerome Whittingham, Income Generation Manager at Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA, responds “We’re delighted to have been voted first in our category for our work with disadvantaged young people, and we thank all those that cast their vote for us. The services we offer local young people are vital to them. The award of £6000 is very welcome.”

Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA offers accommodation for up to 98 otherwise homeless young people at any one time. In addition the charity delivers a range of support services helping disadvantaged young people to belong, contribute and thrive. In the last year the charity has given a short term home to approximately 300 young men and women. Over 90 young people have been helped to access education, including 3 that have gone to university.

NatWest CommunityForce is a new initiative that sees NatWest Bank plc. working with local communities to support the people, projects and charities making a real difference across the UK. Earlier this year, hundreds of charities and community groups applied to be part of CommunityForce. As well as raising awareness of their work on the CommunityForce website, each stood to win an award of £6,000 to put towards their valuable work. In total, over five and a half thousand eligible applications were made and went forward to the public vote that began in September. There was a brilliant response from the public who visited the site, looked at the projects taking part and voted for their favourites in their thousands.

Malcolm Smith, Deputy Chief Executive at Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA, adds “The encouraging thing about receiving this money is that the public showed their support for the work that we undertake supporting vulnerable young people by voting for the YMCA. The money will be spent encouraging and supporting young people to make a difference in their local community.”