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Seized criminal cash shared among community groups

Sarah WakefieldYorkshire
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Five people are holding a large cheque in front of them which is awarding the Bradford Bulls Community Foundation £9,900. The man on the left of the picture is smiling and has short grey hair and glasses, a black jacket with a black jumper underneath. The man next to him has a white shirt and brown gilet on and is bald with a light brown beard. The woman in the centre has blonde hair to her shoulders. The woman next to her has a dark top on and ash blonde hair in a ponytail. The woman on the right of the picture has long dark hair and a burgundy top.West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Michelle Pemberton (centre) from the Bradford Bulls Community Foundation said the funding would help support young people

Money seized from criminals will be used to help children who are at risk of exclusion and anti-social behaviour.

Bradford Bulls Community Foundation is among 44 community groups to receive a share of more than £400,000 from the Mayor of West Yorkshire's Safer Communities Fund.

Since 2021, the fund, which is financed from money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act, has invested more than £5.3m in projects across the county.

Project and events manager at the foundation Michelle Pemberton said the money would "help young people build confidence, make positive choices and reach their full potential".

The foundation, which has been given £9,900, is the official charity of Bradford Bulls and delivers projects using Rugby League and other sports.

"We're really excited about this because one of the things what we really want to focus on is anti-social behaviour and giving young people a good foundation and a sense of belonging." said Pemberton.

"I was amazed at where the money came from. I think it's great that it actually goes back into these projects and makes a difference positively within it."

West Yorkshire Combined Authority A woman with shoulder length blond hair and a black top stands with her hands out-stretched with her elbows by her side. She is smiling and holds a pair of clear framed glasses in her right hand. Behind her are two posters. The one on the right is of a little boy holding a sign saying 'misunderstood'West Yorkshire Combined Authority
The awards mark the 10th round of The Mayor's Safer Communities Fund

In Heckmondwike, Rainbow Baby Bank has been awarded £10,000 to provide specialist support for women and children fleeing domestic abuse or recovering from human trafficking.

It also provides nappies, clothing, toiletries and essential equipment so that vulnerable families feel safer and more secure.

Other projects to be awarded a share of the fund include, Kings Cross Juniors Cricket Club, in Halifax, St George's Crypt, in Leeds, and CAPA College, in Wakefield.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: "By reinvesting money seized from criminals into these community projects, we can help create opportunities for young people, support vulnerable residents and make our region safer for everyone."

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