Matt backs Sport Relief's £50,000 for city (From Daily Echo)

X-Factor winner Matt Cardle supports Sport Relief's £50,000 for Southampton

12:30pm Thursday 19th January 2012 in Charity By Arron Hendy

TODAY the Daily Echo is teaming up with Sport Relief to make £50,000 up for grabs for local community groups.

The popular fundraising event will soon be here and people are being urged to pull on their trainers and take part as money being raised will help to transform lives in Hampshire as well as across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries.

We will be distributing £50,000 in grants to help people across the Daily Echo region.

Southampton-born X-factor winner Matt Cardle is encouraging people to join in with the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile taking place on Sunday March 25 from Guildhall Square in Southampton.

Matt, who will be at the official launch in the city today, is urging friends, colleagues and family to get involved.

“All the money you raise by getting sponsored will make a huge difference to people living incredibly tough lives right here in Southampton and the south, across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries,”

he said. “What are you waiting for, let’s do this Southampton!”

BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills is also calling on groups from his home city to apply for money from the community cash fund.

He said: “It’s brilliant news for Southampton that Sport Relief has teamed up with the Southern Daily Echo to bring you the Sport Relief Community Cash grants.

“The great thing about these grants is that they offer a small amount of cash that will make a massive difference to local groups and organisations.

“If you’re eligible for a grant get that application in now.

Don’t miss out.”