Nineteen Newham groups have successfully secured funding in the latest round of the Aspers Good Cause fund, including sports training, music making and counselling projects.

The fund, that has been going since 2012, was set up by Aspers casino and Newham Council to support arts, dance, music and sport community projects for local residents, providing they are inclusive to all.

Richard Smith, the Group Operations Director at Aspers Casino, said: “The Aspers Good Causes Fund is something that we deem a privilege to orchestrate. We feel honoured that our partnership with the council means that so many local community groups are given financial support and that local schoolchildren and elderly residents benefit as well.”

A celebration event took place yesterday at Aspers Casino where 19 lucky groups accepted donations from £1000 to £7,126 for their projects making up almost £80,000 from the pot of £100,000.

Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said: “The Aspers Good Causes fund makes a big difference to the lives of our residents, funding projects designed to boost their confidence and skills. Many of these schemes help to address inequalities in society and would not be possible without this funding, the experience our residents gain is invaluable.”

The fund has had a great effect on the community, previously Theatre Royal Stratford East secured £4,046 which enabled them to put on 11 youth theatre workshops with 80 young people in the borough.

Chris Alexander, development officer for TRSE said: “This funding allowed us to put on an series of workshops which helped to engage some of the borough’s youngsters who would not necessarily come into contact with the theatre industry.”

Following the workshops 82 per cent of the young people said they felt their confidence had improved and 75 per cent felt that their language, literacy, numeracy and communication and presentation skills had also improved.

“The impact the sessions had on the young people were phenomenal. Many of the youngsters left the course with a completely different attitude towards the arts and their school work.” added Alexander

The remaining £20,000 will be spent on taking 2,000 children to visit Aspinall Foundation’s Port Lympne and Howlet Wildlife Park in Kent, as well as the 3000 Christmas food hampers that go to isolated elderly residents living alone and on a low income.

Sir Robin added: “We know that many of our elderly residents really enjoy the Christmas hamper that they receive”

Huge thanks to @AspersStratford and @NewhamLondon for a lovely evening supporting charities across the borough. And for our big cheque! pic.twitter.com/BXakRJmBr5

— Newham Music (@Newhammusic) November 2, 2017