MEMBERS of Heworth Cricket Club are celebrating after winning thousands of pounds to launch a football section during the winter months.

Heworth CC have been handed £5,000 by Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund to fund two junior football teams at the club’s home in Elmpark Way.

The club beat off stiff competition from community groups across the region to land the prize, after finishing in the top two of a public vote organised by the bank.

Heworth have already produced one young sporting star – 19-year-old Jack Leaning who made his debut for Yorkshire in a CB40 match against Warwickshire this summer.

His mother Karen, who works for Lloyds, nominated the club and said she was thrilled the public had got behind their dream to turn out more stars of the future – albeit in a different sport.

“I was thrilled when I heard the club had won the money,” said Karen.

“The club has done a great amount for my son and it was about giving something back to them, but also to help continue the type of community club they are.

“They are always doing things in the evening, social events people can come along to and enjoy, but it’s hard to do that over the winter because the cricket season ends.

“Having a football club running will be great on a number of levels.

“It will give young people with a passion for football a chance to play regularly during the winter, and also give the club a chance to stay open and serve the community as it does in the summer.”

The money will be used to provide kit and equipment for at least two junior teams, boosting youth football in the area and promoting a healthy lifestyle to young people all year round.

More than 200,000 people across the UK took part in a public vote online and at Olympic Torch Relay celebrations between May and September to select the charities they wanted to receive the cash, part of £660,000 Lloyds is investing through the Community Fund.

In total, 132 projects are set to receive £5,000 as part of the Lloyds Banking Group campaign, and community and sustainable business director, Paul Turner added: “We are proud to be able to help Heworth CC continue the great work they are doing in York and we look forward to seeing the difference the award will make.”

Lloyds Banking Group, the largest financial services investor in UK communities, has provided funding to 132 organisations around the UK through its Community Fund in 2012.

To find out more about the Group’s community investment, visit www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/community