Deadline looms for applications to National Express Foundation

COLLEGES and community groups in the West Midlands have until tomorrow to apply to the National Express Foundation for funding.

The Birmingham-based transport provider said it had had an overwhelming response to the launch of its foundation with dozens of colleges and community groups from across the region applying for funding to help local youngsters get on in education and make the most of their talents.

The foundation was established after National Express promised to provide it with at least £500,000 of funding over the next five years. The National Express Foundation will provide thousands of pounds in bursaries to help local students attend further and higher education and support local community groups working with young people.

The National Express Foundation will award £10,000 per annum to several local colleges and universities to enable them to provide individuals in challenging personal or financial situations with a bursary towards funding their living costs whilst a student.

The foundation will also provide up to £30,000 of funding to local community groups working with young people.

National Express, Birmingham’s biggest – and one of the West Midlands’s largest private sector employers, started developing the foundation following the riots across the country last summer.

Anthony Vigor, Director of Policy and External Affairs for National Express Group, said: “We are delighted with the response we have had so far but we want every college and community group in the region to think how they would use the money and put an application to us.”

Those wanting more information about the foundation should visit: www.nationalexpressgroup.com/foundation.