Kirklees Council has launched a new community fund to help residents, businesses, schools and community groups celebrate the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire when it races through the borough on Saturday 2 May 2020.

Community and voluntary groups, town and parish councils, schools and businesses can all apply for funding, of up to £500, to deliver activities and events to support the Tour de Yorkshire in their local area on race day.  Ideas that celebrate the diversity of Kirklees communities are particularly encouraged as well as creative ideas that help bring people together along the route.

Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said, “We have created this fund to make sure that everyone in Kirklees has the opportunity to make the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire a really special day for their local community.

“I look forward to seeing the inventive and eye-catching ideas that will help make race day a real celebration of Kirklees, and our rich diversity of cultures and people.”

Successful applicants may also be eligible to enter the official Tour de Yorkshire Land Art and Best Dressed competitions that were launched this week.  The Land Art competition recognises the efforts of those people who create the giant artworks which line the route each year, while the Best Dressed competition honours the communities and individuals who go the extra mile to celebrate the race.

The deadline for applications to the Kirklees Tour de Yorkshire community fund is Monday 16 March, and all successful applicants will be contacted by Friday 27 March.  Further information and the online application form is available on the Kirklees Council Tour de Yorkshire website at www.kirklees.gov.uk/tourfund

Interested applicants can email the Kirklees Tour de Yorkshire team with any questions about their ideas at tdygrants@kirklees.gov.uk or visit one of the Kirklees Tour de Yorkshire Roadshow events that will take place on Tuesday 25 February at Holmfirth Civic Hall at 7 pm, and on Tuesday 3 March at Huddersfield Town Hall at 5.30 pm.