Mick Bates Memorial Community Fund

The Mick Bates Community Memorial Fund is open to applications that benefit the people of Montgomeryshire.
The Mick Bates Community Memorial Fund is inviting community groups and charities that work to benefit the people of Montgomeryshire, but particularly Llanfair Caereinion and the Banwy Valley to apply for grant funding.
The Mick Bates Community Memorial Fund was set up by his family following his death of bone cancer on 29 August 2022. Over £10,000 has been distributed through grants since it was established.
Ruth Bates, Mick’s daughter said: “We are opening the Fund on 1 June 2025 for applications following a year of fundraising and we thank everyone who has donated through events and online.”
“The purpose of the Fund is to help bring people together to work on things that benefit the community. Mick was a great believer in getting things done. He believed in the power of people working together to help others. We hope the grants are one small part to helping to bring a positive effect TO people’s lives and their communities.”
Groups that have previously benefit include The Institute, Ffrindiau Ysgol Bro Caereinion Friends, Cancer Research Llanfair Caereinion Branch; Llanfair Caereinion Bolwing; Club New Life Church; Cylch Meithrin Banw; Llanfair United Football Club and Caffi Cymundeol Llanfair Caereinion Community Café Community groups and charities can apply for grants varying from £100 to £1000 that benefit the people of Montgomeryshire but particularly the people of Llanfair Caereinion and the Banwy valley. The scheme opens on 1 June 2025 and application forms are available at  www.mickbatescommunitymemorialfund.co.uk
or HERE: Application Form MB

The Fund is managed by the Trustees which include Ruth Bates, Cllr Gareth Jones, Nic Davies, Betsan Llwyd, Cerys Metcalf and Cadvan Evans. PAVO will administer the fund on behalf of the Trustees. The Fund has been set up to support the things that Mick was most passionate about which include supporting young people to reach their potential, the environment and helping those most in need and community development. A key criteria of the fund is to demonstrate how the projects will benefit the people of Montgomeryshire but in particular those living in Llanfair Caereinion and the Banwy valley.
Cadvan Evans, Chair of The Mick Bates Community Memorial Trust Fund said: “The Mick Bates Community Memorial Fund aims to keep Mick’s legacy alive and award grants to the things he cared about most– young people, the environment, helping those most in need and community development.
Groups that apply must demonstrate the are properly formed group, club, committee or charity, which must show that the group has charitable aims whilst also benefitting the people of Montgomeryshire but particular Llanfair Caereinion.
Organisations will also need to show that they possess a constitution and a bank account and carry out activities that provide public benefit.

All applications will be considered on their individual merits. Deadline for applications is 1pm on Friday, August 01 2025 and will then be considered by the Trustees. Successful applicants will be announced in September 2025.