AT last, someone is brave enough to highlight the lack of support from local firms and businesses for community groups within the Town. I fully appreciate the frustration Chris Wormald (BEN August 9) feels when trying to find funding for his excellent Smithills Band.
Having worked in the voluntary sector for the past ten years and been responsible for accessing funding from a variety of sources for charities and community groups, I understand the problems they face in getting the business sector interested in supporting good causes.
There are over 750 local community groups in Bolton all vying for the same pot of money, either from the generosity of local people, businesses or charitable trusts.
Bolton also has a number of national charities based in the town, who have large budgets to pay fundraisers, press and publicity officers to attract funding.
Bolton Sea Cadets began in Bolton in 1943 and have supported the Town's young people over the years by unpaid volunteers.
The Sea Cadets are a uniformed youth organisation based on the traditions and discipline of the Royal Navy. Although they wear a naval uniform for ceremonial occasions they are a registered charity and, unlike the other cadet forces, are not Ministry of Defence funded.
They provide training and education on a variety of subjects, sports and leisure facilities, in a safe and organised environment for young people, aged 10 to 18 years old.
The Sea Cadets are threatened with closure if they are unable to raise £140,000 to secure a permanent home. Like Mr Wormald, I have written hundreds of letters, asking for support for our cause.
The BEN has kindly publicised the Sea Cadets plight on a number of occasions, which has resulted in support from the Veteran's Associations, MPs, Councillors, Bolton Metro Council, Youth Services and, astonishingly, other local community groups but sadly no response from the local business world.
Smithills Band, the Sea Cadets, and other youth groups in the town, are helping to provide good citizens and responsible future employees for Bolton's businesses. I therefore ask them to explore the possibility of supporting and maybe saving some of the groups in danger due to lack of support and investment.
Mrs Pat Stubbs
Hon. Secretary Bolton Sea Cadets
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