Organisations in Thurrock have been getting a head start when applying for funding thanks to Thurrock Council's external funding unit and its 100 per cent strike rate.

The unit has helped every group that has come to them in successfully getting Awards For All grants, which range from £500 to £5,000. Overall, 93 per cent of Thurrock groups have been successful.

And despite their hard work, regeneration manager Liz Beadle is calling for more groups to make the unit their first port of call when hunting for cash.

In the last few weeks, Thurrock Special Needs Activity Club (SNAC), Thurrock Music Festival and Thurrock Tennis Club have all received grants after working with the unit.

Liz said the 100 per cent record was "a fantastic result" for Thurrock organisations.

She said: "Obviously we cannot guarantee success, but the overall success rate could be better still if all community groups came through us.

"We offer groups lots of help and support which can make the difference between success and failure for their projects."

In the last year, Thurrock groups have picked up around £80,000 in grants. The latest three awards came through the external funding unit.

Liz said: "The only disappointment is that only four per cent of Awards For All application packs requested by Thurrock organisations are completed and returned.

"If groups came to us for advice we could help many of them to be successful."

The unit can be contacted on 01375 652277 or 652480

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001