Charitable organisations have received a share of the funds at a recent West Cumbria Grants Committee. The money came from funds set up by local people and businesses including Lord Egremont, Lamont Pridmore, LLWR and Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd. With UK unemployment figures at a record high amid the Covid-19 crisis, TEGVirtual CIC, with the support of £16,976 from the Beverley Charitable Trust Fund and Live the Dream Fund, will be offering training to young entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic. Keith McMean, founder and group director at TEGvirtual, said: “The funding will allow 20 young people to access our Entrepreneurial Programme, supporting 16 to 25 year olds in Allerdale and Copeland. It will give young people in our community the opportunity to develop their own business ideas with the aim of actually setting up a business in West Cumbria, not only impacting on our learners on the programme, but impacting on our community and economy.”
THE FUTURE leaders of tomorrow have received some words of encouragement from Cumbria s MPs ahead of a county-wide competition. Schools may be focusing on Christmas right now but in January, many in Cumbria will embark upon the Bright Stars competition. In previous years, schools have been partnered up with a local business to help the children set-up and run their own business. However, for the 2021 competition, the focus will be on creating digital campaigns that champion important causes. The MPs have created messages of support for the children ahead of them embarking upon the eight week long programme. Sarah Glass, executive director of the Centre for Leadership Performance said: “Having the support of the county’s MPs is hugely encouraging.