Four Whitchurch community groups have received grants of up to £500 each to help their environmentally-friendly initiatives.

The recipients of the Freedom Fibre Freedom Fund were presented with their awards at the 2023 Whitchurch Blackberry Fair.

Neil McArthur, chief executive officer of Freedom Fibre, expressed his delight in supporting a diverse array of worthy and eco-friendly causes in Whitchurch.

He said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to make awards to such a diverse range of good and green causes in Whitchurch.

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“The non-profit groups that have received the funding are all working to positively impact their communities through education, sustainability efforts, and projects that bring local residents together.

“All these goals directly align with Freedom Fibre’s own company values, and we feel incredibly privileged to work alongside these community groups to help benefit the areas where Freedom Fibre is building our network.”

The Rotary Club of Whitchurch received £500 to support the purchase of bushes, plants for town flowerbeds, compost, and fertilizers.

St Alkmund's Church obtained £446 to contribute to the purchase of bicycle stands for the church's car park, encouraging cycling.

Whitchurch Herald: St Alkmund’s Church, which was awarded £446 to contribute towards bicycle stands for the church car park – encouraging people to cycle.St Alkmund’s Church, which was awarded £446 to contribute towards bicycle stands for the church car park – encouraging people to cycle. (Image: Freedom Fibre)

Whitchurch Blackberry Fair was granted £500 to facilitate and promote environmental practices during this year's event.

Whitchurch Herald: Whitchurch Blackberry Fair, which was awarded £500 to help fund various environmental practices at this year’s FairWhitchurch Blackberry Fair, which was awarded £500 to help fund various environmental practices at this year’s Fair (Image: Freedom Fibre)

And Queensway Playing Fields Association received £250 to aid in procuring and planting fruit bushes in an area near the allotments and orchard.

Whitchurch Herald: Queensway Playing Fields Association, which was awarded £250 to help purchase and plant a number of different soft fruit bushes on an area of the field near to the allotments and orchard.Queensway Playing Fields Association, which was awarded £250 to help purchase and plant a number of different soft fruit bushes on an area of the field near to the allotments and orchard. (Image: Freedom Fibre)

Freedom Fibre initiated The Freedom Fund in October 2022 to back community groups involved in environmental projects.

The company is actively deploying its high-speed, full-fibre network to homes and businesses in Whitchurch, with plans for further expansion into North Shropshire.

The Freedom Fund is dedicated to championing environmentally friendly initiatives within the regions where our high-speed, full-fibre network is expanding.

They have substantial funding available for worthwhile "green" projects, amounting to thousands of pounds.

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Freedom Fibre primarily concentrates its efforts on linking communities in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Shropshire, and North Wales.

Non-profit community organizations operating within their network expansion areas are eligible to apply for grants ranging from £250 to £500 to bolster their environmental projects.

Other locations that have received funding are in Cheshire, Wigan, Salford and Newton-le-Willows.

The Freedom Fund closed for applications on Friday July 21, and will reopen again in 2024.

If you are interested in connecting to their full-fibre network, you can register your interest online.