Good causes in Merseyside could win a share of ₤250k prize fund

COMMUNITY groups in Merseyside can now apply for a share of ₤250,000, available through Jewson Building Better Communities. Through the competition, which launched on Monday, 9 April 2018, 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 4th year, the Building Better Communities initiative will award 1 community project up to ₤50,000, as well as many smaller prizes to other projects.

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 heroes 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.

The competition was launched on 9 April and entrants have until 9 May 2018 to submit their application. After a short listing process and a public vote, the winning projects will be announced on 3 July 2018, at a ceremony hosted by celebrity architect, George Clarke.

George 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 Merseyside. 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."

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 Merseyside to nominate a cause that could benefit from some extra support."

Merseyside community groups and tradespeople have until Wednesday, 9 May 2018, to submit their entry online.  The competition is being supported by Jewson supplier brands: Velux; Marshalls, Polypipe; British Gypsum; Tarmac; Recticel and Norbord.

For more information, visit:- BuildingBetterCommunities.Co.UK.

Stormtroopers set to storm Spaceport

RENOWNED Stormtroopers and costume team, The 99th Garrison, is set to storm into Spaceport to celebrate the anniversary of the hugely popular "Sci-Fi Icons" exhibition.

Fan favourites including:- Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Boba Fett, Kylo Ren, C-3PO and R2-D2, who will be posing for photographs and support with a series of interactive Stormtrooper workshops

A troop of Star Wars fans' favourites will descend on Spaceport in Seacombe this April to help celebrate the first anniversary of the hugely popular "Sci-Fi Icons" exhibition.

Globally renowned Stormtrooper costume team, The 99th Garrison, will storm into Spaceport for the celebrations, and they will be joined by Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Boba Fett as well as a host of other celebrated characters from the sci-fi blockbuster.

Visiting during the weekend of 28 April and 29 April 2018, the 99th Garrison team will host four Stormtrooper workshops, each taking place after the main dome show.

On Saturday, 28 April 2018, the stormtroopers will be joined by:- Princess Leia, Kylo Ren, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, Darth Vader and Padmé Amidala, who will be meeting and greeting visitors in Spaceport and within the exhibition.

On Sunday, 29 April 2018, fans will get the chance to come face to face with:- C-3PO, R2-D2, and Rey along with a range of other characters from the franchise.

Gary Evans of Mersey Ferries told us that:- "The Sci-Fi Icons exhibition has really captured the public imagination over the past year. So we're delighted to host so many characters from the show over the weekend of the exhibition's anniversary. We're incredibly lucky to have such an extensive collection of Star Wars memorabilia from one of the UK's biggest collectors right here at Spaceport in Seacombe. Regardless of their age, people seem to drawn into the Star Wars universe like no other. Its timelessness makes it something that appeals to every generation of family members, so we're expecting the 28 April and 29 April to be very busy days!"

The 99th Garrison's team help raise many thousands of pounds for Liverpool based charity, the Walking With Giants Foundation, who support people and families affected by microcephalic primordial dwarfism.

Paul Truesdale a spokesperson for 99th Garrison said:- "The Sci-Fi Icons exhibition is a true celebration of Star Wars, so all our volunteers are looking forward to visiting Spaceport this spring. We're excited to meet lots of fans across the weekend and are delighted that we're working with a much-loved science attraction in the North West."

The 99th Garrison's attendance will be for the weekend only.

Tickets can be purchased on the day or in advance online via:- SpacePort.Org.UK.

Spaceport's standard admission prices apply with a family ticket costing ₤26 (2 adults and up to 3 children).

You can extend your day out by combining your Spaceport visit with a trip on the Mersey Ferry; joint tickets are available offering great value!

The exhibition is suitable for children aged 6+ years.

For more information or to book tickets, call:- 0151 330 1003, or visit the Spaceport website.