An innovative new charity fund has helped boost 14 youth-led organisations and projects across the county.

The High Sheriff of Shropshire’s Fund has recently announced the first recipients of awards for youth-led projects across Shropshire Telford and Wrekin.

The new fund, managed by Shropshire Community Foundation, was born from a collaborative vision shared by the foundation and the former high sheriffs of Shropshire, Dean Harris and Selina Graham DL, and launched in 2023 by the current High Sheriff Mandy Thorn.

The award was set up last year to offer grants of up to £1,250 to support organisations, community groups and projects that inspire young people to make a positive impact in their communities.

The charitable organisations awarded grants from the fund support a diverse range of projects from environmental initiatives to arts, cultural and sports programmes, including those tackling anti-social behaviours that can lead to crime.

“We were absolutely thrilled at the quality of the applications and we are excited to be able to support these 14 projects," said Mandy Thorn.

“Our vision is for a county where young people are fully engaged and leading projects in a way that will have a lasting impact on the community,” she said.

This year’s grant-giving has been supported by Aico, based in Oswestry, whose donation underlines the company’s dedication to community and youth development.

Neal Hooper, Aico’s managing director, said: “We are proud to support the High Sheriff’s Fund and Shropshire Community Foundation. We feel it is vital to invest in young people and our local community.”

“The High Sheriff of Shropshire’s Fund is not just investing in projects – it’s investing in the potential of young people to be changemakers in their local communities,” she said.

Details on the fund and how to apply are available at www.shropshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk

The awardees are: Allsport Coaches Coaching Academy CIC, Reharmonize CIC, The Grange Gang, 4 All Foundation, 8th Bridgnorth Scouts, Crowsmill Craft Centre, Hope Through Music, Market Drayton Community Amateur Sports Club, Shropshire Youth, SYA, Telford and Wrekin CVS, Telford Amateur Boxing Club, The Cavalier Centre Ltd, The Hive (HMM Arts Ltd).