The Merseyside Police and High Sheriff’s Charitable Fund

The fund was set up to give grants to local voluntary and community groups who were involved in making Merseyside a safer and more secure place. We support schemes or groups that contribute to crime prevention in its widest sense, including:

• education about drug abuse and its consequences
• employment projects for young people to help them build confidence and skills
• making public transport safer
• protecting elderly and vulnerable people, especially those who have been victims of crime and may still be living in fear.

The fund is managed in partnership with the Community Foundation for Merseyside. We hold fund-raising events throughout the year, the biggest one being our annual ball. We also get money from donations from individuals and businesses, the government and other charities.

We have a panel made up of local people who make sure the money is properly spent. They look through the grant applications we receive and decide on who receives grants. Long-term crime prevention through education and support is their priority. So far, we have distributed more than £250,000.