Residents urged to back St Gregory’s ‘David and Goliath’ struggle for community funding

TIME is running out to help stir up support for a much-needed new kitchen at Seaton Church Hall.

The project is in the running for a major grant from Natwest Bank’s community fund – but people need to get their skates on and vote for it now.

An on-line ballot is taking place to decide who gets the �6,000 community force award.

Seaton is up against some heavyweight contenders – but St Gregory’s Church officials point out that so was David... and he did alright.

A spokeswoman said: “We desperately need a new kitchen for our church hall and FREEdom Caf� which is run by volunteers from the community for the community and regularly serves over 200 orders in three hours.

“We’ve been running for two years now and are growing all the time.

“No one else in Seaton has applied for the Natwest grant so we are asking everyone here to please get behind us. Voting ends in 18 days so we really need them to spread the message and encourage as many people as they can to vote for us.”

To vote for the Seaton bid log on to http://communityforce.natwest.com./project/5205

People can also register their vote by phoning the free phone number 0800 2100 246. People with hearing or sight difficulties should dial 0800 0155 545 and someone will call them back to.

To find out more call St Gregory’s Church office on (01297) 23656 or Mary Casey, from the FREEdom Caf�, on (01297) 624312 or email seatonchurch@hotmail.co.uk

* Since the FREEdom Cafe opened in September 2009 it has fully funded itself with donations of food and money. As it does not retain any cash - only enough for the next caf� - members have donated back into the community and national crisis appeals over �900 since opening.

The cafe is open on the third Saturday of each month from 10.30am to 1.30pm and everyone is welcome. The next cafe is on Saturday October 15.