I am calling on charities in Birmingham to apply for funding from the Ladbrokes in the Community Charitable Trust (LICCT) after I was told by the company that no groups in my constituency have applied for a grant yet.

Since it was established in 2003, LICCT has to date donated over £3.5 million for good causes across the UK. In 2007 LICCT donated over £938,000 to charitable and community causes. This year alone LICCT has already donated, 25,000 to four major charities: Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dreams Come True, The Samaritans and the Army Benevolent Fund.

I know there are some really good charities in my constituency but so far nobody has applied for any funding. This is a great opportunity for them to apply for extra money so they can carry out the crucial work they do for our community.

Charities who are interested in applying for funding through Ladbrokes should write to Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming Limited, Imperial House, Imperial Drive, Rayners Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 7JW or alternatively, pop into a local Ladbrokes shop to pick up an application pack.