It's time to reveal the shortlist of worthy causes operating in Allerdale and Copeland who hope to win funding through the first Community Choices campaign.

And now it's over to the public to decide where the money should go.

Community groups and organisations across West Cumbria put their names forward for the chance to win up to £50,000. All applications were reviewed by an independent panel and a shortlist has been drawn up.

Until March 26, people can vote up to 10 times at decidingtogether.org

Alternatively, a number of special IT centres across Allerdale and Copeland will be open on certain days until March 24.

The category finalists are:

Improving Cumbria: Cumbria Rungwe, Friends of Kie Park, Nurture Lakeland, Egremont Crab Fair, Creative Wellbeing, Cumbria Rugby Union Football Club, Home to Work, Rosehill Arts Trust, The Farmer Network.

Improving Health and Wellbeing: Watchtree Wheelers, Copeland Stadium Trust, Wigton Baths Trust, Mirehouse Residents' Group, Mind in West Cumbria, Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, Cockermouth RUFC, CADAS, SASRA Ltd.

Improving Social Inclusion: 1st St Bees Cubs, 1st Hensingham Scouts, 2199 (Workington) Air Squadron ATC, Healthy Hopes Cumbria, Time to Change West Cumbria, Stepping Stone 2to (corr) , CROPT, Hospice at Home West Cumbria, Citizens Advice.

Supporting Stronger Communities: Punch Bowl (Broughton) Ltd, Newton Arlosh First Responders, AWAZ Cumbria, Seascale Community Beach Park Project, Aspatria Dreamscheme, Rosehill Youth Theatre & Solway Hall, Phoenix Enterprise Centre.

Supporting the Younger Generation: Millom Stepping Stones, Mayfield School Development Fund, Air Training Corps (RAF Cadets) – 1030 Whitehaven, Whitehaven Theatre of Youth, Egremont RUFC, Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project, West Cumbria Domestic Violence, West Cumbria Carers, Safety Net (UK).


Launched by Sellafield Ltd, with support from the CN Group – publishers of The Whitehaven News and Times & Star – CFM, Cumbria Community Foundation and Phoenix Enterprise Centre, the scheme is aimed at giving a financial boost to not-for-profit organisations.

Helen Fisher, head of social impact at Sellafield Ltd, said: "Community Choices is all about local people taking the future of their area into their own hands.

"This is an opportunity to support the charities and community groups people value most.

"It also gives those charities and community groups a fantastic platform to showcase the great work they do.

"I’d urge everyone who cares about their community to get involved."

Where to vote

Visit decidingtogether.org , visit your local library where access to a computer is available for a fixed time or go to one of the IT centres in Allerdale and Copeland, which will be open on the following days until March 24:

  • Cleator Moor: Phoenix Enterprise Centre, Jacktrees Road, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am-4pm.
  • Egremont: De Lucy Centre, Market Place, Thursday, 10am-4pm.
  • Maryport: Ewanrigg Community Centre, Ennerdale Road, Monday, 10am-3pm.
  • Millom: Millom Network Centre, Salthouse Road, Friday, 11am-3pm.
  • Whitehaven: Harbour Youth Project building, Swingpump Lane, Monday and Tuesday, 9am-3pm.
  • Wigton: Market Hall, Church Street, Tuesday, 10am-3pm.
  • Workington: Bradbury Independent Living Centre, Oxford Street, Wednesday, 10am-3pm.
  • Workington: Northside Community Centre, Trinity Drive, Thursday, 10am-3pm.