THE Royal Automobile Association Regional Safety Grants program will provide tens of thousands of dollars to fund safer communities across regional areas.
The grants are dedicated to improving safety in regional South Australia, home to more than 226,000 RAA members.
The seventh consecutive round of grants is worth a total of $50,000 and coincides with the start of the fire danger season across much of the state.
RAA Insurance spokesman Shaun Ryan said the grants had supported almost 100 regional community groups since 2013.
“RAA has been able to support many deserving projects over the years that have involved bushfire safety,” Mr Ryan said.
“We have funded grassroots projects for road safety, security, medical equipment and children’s education.
“Last year we increased the maximum value for individual grants to $10,000 to better support bushfire prevention and other safety initiatives our communities told us mattered to them.”
More than $310,000 has been distributed to community projects from Streaky Bay to Naracoorte through previous grants and there is interest from regional communities in the 2018/19 round.
Not-for-profit organisations, community groups, schools and registered charities with a safety improvement project for its community can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $10,000.
“More than 30pc of our members live in regional South Australia and the aim of these grants is to support those directly affected by the safety risks within their communities,” Mr Ryan said.
“Last year, we provided $4500 to fund Brinkworth Primary School’s purchase of a 60 metre fire hose and a stand pipe for CFS to use during an emergency.
“In another important project, we granted Stirling North Country Fire Service almost $9000, which enabled them to create a training compound for volunteers to prepare for road emergency rescues and firefighting.”
Applications for RAA Regional Safety Grants close November 30.
For more information or to apply online, visit www.raa.com.au/grants or visit the nearest RAA Shop for a copy of the guidelines.
