Fund gives groups a sporting chance

COMMUNITY clubs and voluntary groups in Liverpool are set to benefit from a £50,000 cash boost aimed at getting local people active.  Liverpool Sports Forum, in partnership with Liverpool Sport and Physical Activity Alliance, has launched a new grants programme for voluntary organisations in the city to help them develop sport and physical activity opportunities for local people.

The aim of the funding is to help clubs and voluntary groups purchase new equipment, train coaches, officials or volunteers, establish new teams and activities and produce publicity materials.  Organisations can also apply for grants to organise sports events, obtain professional advice and set up taster sessions for schools or local community groups.

Councillor Colin Eldridge, Executive Member for Leisure and Community Safety, said:- “Liverpool’s community sports groups play a vital role in providing healthy and enjoyable activities for people of all ages. They help broaden local people’s horizons and raise their aspirations - and we’re committed to supporting their work.  By working with Liverpool Sports Forum to set up this grants programme, we want to further strengthen the city’s sports voluntary sector. We hope it will help scores of local sports clubs realise their dreams, develop their ideas and deliver really top class services.’’

Organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,500 each. All applications will be expected to demonstrate how the project will create new sports opportunities and attract new participants into sport.  Sports clubs must also demonstrate how they will use the grant to work towards achieving governing body club accreditation - such as Clubmark, FA Charter Mark or equivalent - if they have not achieved this status already.

Stuart Wade, Chairman of Liverpool Sports Forum, said:- ‘’This grant programme will allow us to support clubs and voluntary groups and enable them to build their capacity, which will in turn lead to increases in membership and sports participation.  Liverpool Sports Forum would like to thank Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Active City for providing us with the financial support required to create this new funding opportunity.’’

In order to qualify for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
* Be based within the City of Liverpool (and draw the majority of members/participants from within Liverpool).

* Be a club or voluntary group from which no individuals make a financial gain.

* Have a constitution and bank account with a minimum of 2 signatories.

* Be able to deliver the project and fully expend any grant award by 31 March 2008 at the latest.

To obtain an application form and further details, please contact 0151 233 6336 or 0151 233 5277. Applications must be returned by 31 October 2007.

Superfuels are not so super, says What Car?

DRIVERS who fill their cars with expensive 'superfuels' and expect to see big economy gains should think again, according to a report by What Car?.  Real-world tests were carried out for What Car? by the AA's former senior research engineer, Peter de Nayer. In these tests, high-octane premium fuels including BP Ultimate, Shell V-Power, Esso Supreme and Total Excellium performed little or no better than their cheaper equivalents, in spite of costing around 7% more per litre.

'Our tests show that premium fuels are an unnecessary expense with no major fuel economy benefit', said What Car? editor, Steve Fowler. 'The verdict is still out on whether superfuels prolong engine life, as fuel manufacturers claim. Nonetheless, even using the fuel companies' own figures, you're unlikely to travel 7% further on a tank of fuel for a 7% increase in your fuel bill".

The top-performing fuel in What Car?'s tests was Sainsbury's 97-octane fuel, which delivered 0.5 mpg more than its 95-octane fuel - in real terms that means just 6 miles more per tank.

'Unless the prices of these superfuels come down, there are far easier and cheaper ways of reducing your fuel consumption and your car's emissions,' continued Steve Fowler. 'By changing your driving style, anticipating the road ahead and sticking to the speed limit, you can make fuel savings for free!'

What Car?'s Top Tips for more economical and greener driving are:-

· Change your driving style - don't use the accelerator like a switch - be gentle - and don't over-rev the engine. Allow more time for your journey, too.

· Lose weight - don't leave heavy items in your car that you don't need and remove roof racks and roof boxes when you're not using them.

· Look after your car - a properly maintained car with correctly inflated tyres will use less fuel.

· Switch It off - If you're stuck in traffic, switch your engine off. And don't use energy-sapping features such as air-con if you don't need to.

· Anticipation - reading the road and traffic conditions will enable you to drive more smoothly, helping economy and your passengers' constitution!

· Stick to the speed limit - driving at the legal limit or just below and selecting the highest gear possible without letting the engine labour will pay dividends.

· Leave the car at home - an engine is at its most inefficient when cold, so don't use the car for the shortest journeys.

· Plan your journey - avoiding busy times when the roads are most congested, while bypassing roadworks will mean less stop/start driving and less fuel used.