A PROJECT to improve the lives of the Lake District elderly is calling for your vote to win £31,000 of National Lottery funding.

Ambleside Parish Centre’s ‘Ageless Ambleside’ is one of the 95 community-based schemes shortlisted across the UK for a chance at funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘People’s Projects’.

In order to win, Ambleside Parish Centre is calling on the local community to support its bid.

“This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and support for our work and, with your help, to secure further much-needed funding,” said Helen Minton, centre development manager.

“We urge local people to get behind us.

“If successful, our project will make a real difference to our local community by enabling our older members to stay involved and connected, so reducing isolation and all its associated problems.”

The funding would be used to recruit several new personnel, one who would transport older people to participate, one to establish more local groups and activities for a further nine months, as well as running games for men for a further year.

They are also seeking to organise a five-week cookery course for older people who live alone.

Now in its 13th year, the Big Lottery Fund, ITV and The National Lottery are teaming up to give the public a chance to decide how National Lottery funding should be put to good use in their local area.

With the entire funding amount across the UK at £3m, the three schemes with the most public votes in each region will receive grants of up to £50,000.

Joe Ferns, UK funding director of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “As the largest funder of community activity in the UK, we are proud to support grassroots groups that are using the vision, determination and drive of local people to strengthen communities.

“The People’s Projects showcases the best of these and is a chance for you to have your say on how funding can benefit your community.”

lVoting closes at midday on April 30. Visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk