COMMUNITY groups in Wiltshire can now apply for a share of a £250,000 prize fund being made available through Jewson Building Better Communities.

Good causes can apply for funding for building materials to improve their facilities: whether it’s a new roof for a village hall or revamping changing rooms at a sports club.

Now in its fourth year, the Building Better Communities initiative will award one community project up to £50,000, as well as many smaller prizes to other projects.

Entrants have until Wednesday, May 9 to submit their application. After a shortlisting process and a public vote, the winning projects in the competition will be announced on Tuesday, July 3 at a ceremony hosted by celebrity architect, George Clarke.

Mr Clarke, who is involved in Building Better Communities for the second year running, said: “The funds donated as part of the Building Better Communities competition are making a huge difference to local charities and community groups across Great Britain, and can do the same for those in Wiltshire.

“We know there are groups doing great work on a daily basis, so it’s an honour to be supporting them and I’m really looking forward to learning about this year’s entries.”

As well as supporting local community groups, Jewson will give away £100,000 of the overall prize fund to heroes of the building trade. These are unsung tradespeople who go above and beyond in their local area or builders who have always supported others but now find themselves in need.

Thierry Dufour, Managing Director at Jewson, said: “Since we launched the Building Better Communities competition in 2015, we’ve helped more than 65 fantastic projects make a different to communities across the UK.

“We’ve seen the great work being carried out by communities and tradespeople, and want to give back to those who go the extra mile. That’s why we’re continuing to ask residents in Wiltshire to nominate a cause that could benefit from some extra support.”

To submit an entry go to www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk. The competition is being supported by Jewson supplier brands: Velux, Marshalls, Polypipe, British Gypsum, Tarmac, Recticel and Norbord.