COMMUNITY groups in Halesowen and Rowley Regis are being urged to apply for a slice of cash available for projects linked to the First World War.

The Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War project offers money to help groups, communities and organisations mark the centenary by exploring, conserving and sharing local heritage of the Great War.

The money is available for a wide range of commemorative schemes – from memorials, buildings and sites, to photographs, letters and literature – that help people understand of the Great War and what it means to our community today.

£45million has been awarded to projects around the country that explore the heritage of the First World War but further funding is still available.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris will support local organisations and provide a link between them and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

He said: “I know from the work that I have done over the past four years with community groups, and the Lottery Funding Workshop that I organised, that many organisations do not know about the funding that’s available from the lottery nor how to go about applying."

Although 17 projects in the constituency received a total of £.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year, no local schemes have yet been funded through the First World War initiative.

He added: “Over the next four years, there are lots of events, memorials and projects being organised locally to mark the anniversary of the war and I want our community to benefit from the money on offer to support those commemorations.

“Much of the focus will understandably be on the incredible sacrifices made by those on the frontline, but it is important that we appreciate the impact that the war had on our local communities and the funding is there to help us achieve that.”

For more information about funding from the First World War initiative should contact James Morris on 0121 550 6777 or email james.morris.mp@parliament.uk.