Graeme Yorston, Prinicpality's Cheif Operating Officer, marking the giveaway

Community groups are being given the chance to help mark Principality Building Society’s 150th anniversary.

Groups are invited to claim a £5,000 share in the Principality Building Society-Shropshire Star £25,000 Big Birthday Giveaway. Over the next three months, community groups and charities in areas that have a Principality Building Society, including Mid Wales and Shrewsbury, can apply for a share of the Principality treasure chest.

The Big Birthday Giveaway will be a key part of the building society’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

It is aimed at providing a vital cash injection to five community schemes or charities.

Launched today by Principality chief operating officer Graeme Yorston, the five awards will be given to community groups or local charities operating at a local level.

He said: “The Big Birthday Giveaway is our gift to the people of Wales to say a heartfelt thank you for building our society over the last 150 years.

“We are looking to support a project in Mid Wales that reflects Principality values and ideals, one that delivers great value and looks after the needs of the community it operates within.”

The scheme is now seeking applications and nominations and qualifying community groups and charities of all sizes can apply.

It may be a youth group set up to help keep children off the streets at night and in urgent need of new equipment; a voluntary scheme offering a helping hand to carry out shopping or doing some chores for the elderly; or a project involving teenagers painting, decorating and renovating a community facility.

The group, project or charity must show that – like the Principality – it is at the heart of the community it serves, meets a defined need and is innovative.

Nominations can be made by downloading an application form from www.principality.co.uk/150, by calling (02920) 773788.

Applications must be returned by June 4 to Big Birthday Giveaway (Shropshire Star), Principality Building Society, PO Box 89, Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 1UA, or by e-mail to bigbirthdaygiveaway@principality.co.uk

By Anwen Evans