Community groups across Cumbria have just days to seek support from Fibrus’ Community Fund.

Applications must be sent by Friday, May 9, for groups to stand a chance of joining the 68 local organisations in Cumbria that have already been supported by Fibrus since the fund was launched in collaboration with Cumbria Community Foundation in 2023.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: “The local community is at the heart of everything we do at Fibrus, from our day-to-day work to our sponsorships and community engagement.

“The Fibrus Community Fund 2025 will see £60,000 go to deserving organisations, helping us bridge the gap in becoming a fully digital inclusive society.”  

Committed to supporting rural communities through its Full Fibre broadband rollout in regional and rural towns and villages across Northern Ireland and Northern England, Fibrus broadband extends its support beyond business, and donates hundreds of thousands of pounds through multiple sponsorships packages to groups and clubs.

The latest £60,000 pot for Cumbria will bring the total donated to community groups in the county to £180,000.

The Community Fund has a particular focus on addressing digital poverty and fostering inclusivity within rural communities. 

Grants have gone to a wide variety of groups, from scout groups in Carlisle and Maryport to village halls in Lowca and Grasmere.

With Brampton Film Club, Vision Support in Barrow and community centres in Carlisle and Longtown among the other beneficiaries.

One of the recent beneficiaries was an Air Cadet unit in Kendal that used the grant to updated its IT to enable the cadets to train.

Group leader Flight Lieutenant Simon Barker, 33, said the kit replaced an ancient projector and screen and added: “The cadets will spend an hour of a two-hour session learning in front of the screen, so it’s made our lives much easier.”

If you are part of, or know of, a club or organisation that could benefit from funding to boost access to digital technology, please visit the website here