Mansfield Building Society’s Community Support Scheme has donated £500 to a youth football initiative run by Mansfield and Ashfield Bangladeshi Association (MABA).

The association has a community hub that provides assistance to individuals experiencing difficulties due to age, disability, and financial hardship — and much more.

It also provides invaluable space for the community to advance their education in Islamic and Bengali culture as well as providing facilities for prayer, marriage ceremonies, and funeral rites.

The association recently launched a youth initiative for younger members of the community, fulfilling its aim to reach as many members of the community as possible.

Abyaz Ahad, MABA youth engagement officer, said: “The aim is to encourage participation in football as an organised sport.

“Many of the youths in our community do not have access to such activities on a regular basis due to lack of funding, family support or scarcity of programmes, so this funding will really help.”

Vickie Preston, head of HR at the building society, added: “We hope that the Community Support Scheme donation helps build a long-lasting youth community sporting project, not just for now, but for many years to come.

“We are thrilled to help MABA provide essential kit to kickstart the initiative, as well as funds for the rental of facilities, especially in winter months.”

If you are a local charity or organisation looking for project funding and would like more information on the Community Support Scheme, visit mansfieldbs.co.uk/community-support-scheme.