Ōrākei Sea Scouts welcomes 100 boys and girls to its base on the edge of Ōrākei Basin every week to take part in sailing and rowing in the summer, and land-based skills in the colder months.
The local group is currently at full capacity and has received funding for various projects and initiatives from the Ōrākei Local Board.
Support has included grants for security cameras, outdoor lighting, purchase of an outboard motor and helmets, a contribution for children to attend the National Scout Jamboree, and a water tank at the scout base.
“The board agrees that community grants are some of the best return on investment that we achieve,” says local board chair Scott Milne.
“They can act as seed money and foundational support for projects and groups, enabling them to get off the ground and leverage other funding and support.
“In this case, grant funding allows for the enrichment and education of our future generations, making Ōrākei Sea Scouts more accessible and affordable for local whānau.”
Ōrākei Sea Scouts group leader Tim Figgins is grateful for the funding.
“Last year we managed to get funding for a new safety boat [through another avenue], but we still needed a new motor, so the local board gave us money towards one which was awesome. We should be set up for ten or more years with the new one,” he says.
“There’s also a new requirement from Scouts New Zealand around safety and sailing, and the kids need to have helmets on now. So, with one of the grants the board gave us we managed to get enough helmets for everyone to wear one while out sailing.”
Ōrākei Local Board’s Quick Response and Tree Protection Grant is currently accepting applications until Friday 4 October for grants of up to $4,000.
Find out if your community project or initiative could be eligible and apply here.
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