Elland Silver Band has been awarded £4,000 from Tesco's 'Bags of Help' community grant scheme.

'Bags of Help' is run in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork, and sees grants raised from the sale of carrier bags awarded to local community projects.

Since launching in 2015, it's provided more than £43 million to over 10,000 schemes.

Free taster sessions

Elland's funding will be used to help roll out a range free taster sessions and workshops, open days and to purchase new music and equipment.

Band Secretary, Kathleen Harrison told 4BR: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding. It will help us to continue to offer more local children the opportunity to learn to play a brass and percussion instrument.

Knowing the community has voted for our project is such a boost to all our hard work. We can't wait to get started."

Fantastic success

Alec Brown, Tesco's Head of Community added: "Bags of Help has been a fantastic success and we've been overwhelmed by the response from customers.

It's such a special scheme because it's local people who decide how the money will be spent in their community. We can't wait to see the projects come to life."

Voting ran in stores throughout November and December with customers choosing which local project they would like to get the top award by using a token given to them at the checkout. Customers get the chance to vote for three different groups each time they shop, with three groups in each of Tesco's regions awarded funding.

Passion

Groundwork's National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: "Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down the UK to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them.

The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area. We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive."

Knowing the community has voted for our project is such a boost to all our hard work. We can't wait to get startedBand Secretary, Kathleen Harrison

To apply

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online.

To find out more visit: www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp