Issued in association with SaferMK, of which Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is a member.

30 January 2010

Are you aged between 13 and 19 and living or studying in Milton Keynes? Have an idea that you think would benefit you and your community? Could you convince a panel of “Dragons” to give you £1,000 towards your idea? If your answer to these questions is yes, then “What’s the Big Idea” is for you.

What’s the Big Idea is run by SaferMK, MaD (Make a Difference), Milton Keynes Community Enterprise, MK Dons and Milton Keynes Council’s Extended Services, Sports Development and Youth Service.

It provides young people in Milton Keynes the opportunity to bid for funding to turn their big idea into a reality.

Last year’s winners came from Radcliffe School in Wolverton, where a group of students created an urban garden. Vegetables are grown and sold on to a local business and the school’s canteen. The group won the grand prize of £1,000. Nine other groups in the final were presented with cheques of £500 towards their projects.

This year’s projects must fit one of the following categories:

• Arts/media
• Environmental
• Sports/leisure/healthy living
• Community involvement
• Making a Safer MK

A panel of judges will select 10 finalists. The grand final will be held on 22 March 2010 at stadiummk.

Sue Quinn, of Milton Keynes Community Enterprise, said: “We had some really fantastic big ideas last year and we are looking forward to seeing what this year’s project has to offer.

“This money could make a real difference to a new idea or a project that is already running in the community.”

The closing date for applications is Friday 26 February 2010, and forms can be downloaded from www.mad-uk.org

For more information, contact Di Bowyer at MaD on 01908 253576 or by email at bigidea@mad-uk.org