For the last 35 years, young people in Brightlingsea have been given a boost thanks to the Edward Sycamore Brightlingsea Fund.

Over the decades the fund has raised and given away over £40,000 to provide small grants of up to £150 to pay for text books, musical instruments, sports training, tools or equipment, travel fares, and clothing or maintenance costs.

The fund’s trustees, who have local and educational expertise, say the grants are intended to act as encouragement to activity completion. Each application is carefully considered by a panel of trustees  and some applicants are helped more than once as the progress through their education and training.

To help raise funds to pay for future grants, Lizzie Merrell will be giving a talk – Hitting the Top Notes – explaining how the Fund helped her become a professional flautist. The talk, in the Colne Yacht Club on Friday, May 29 at 7.30pm, will also feature a short performance. Tickets cost £15 – email [email protected] or call 01206 305120.

Any young Brightlingsea residents who feel their plans would suit an application should contact the Trustees, by email or letter; stating their name, address and age, what they have achieved so far, their ambitions and plans for the future. They should tell the trustees why they need a grant and what it will cover. Applications open from the beginning of the academic year, or autumn term, and must be received by early September.

Apply to [email protected] or in writing to Edward Sycamore Brightlingsea Fund, 16 Regent Road, Brightlingsea, C07 0NL.