The Curpona Football Club in Burnie Tasmania are the first recipients of the National Pies for Local Heroes Grant. Receiving a $1,000 grant, the club plans to use the funds to help rebuild and replace items lost in a fire in 2021.

Since the fire that destroyed the club rooms, the club and its 230 members have been using shipping containers as temporary rooms. Items that will be replaced from the fire using the prize include honour boards, jumpers and a new pie warmer to keep their National Pies hot on game days.

The club president Justin McPherson highlighted the struggle the team had faced after the devastating fire.

“It takes a while to get back on your feet after such a devastating blow, but we’re slowly getting there,” Justin said.

“Any money is helpful, but $1,000 will do a lot for the footy club. We’re slowly replacing everything we lost, and this is sure to boost the spirits of everyone involved here.”

With 12 grants of $1,000 per month and one award of $10,000 up for grabs, National Pies CEO Geraldine Tebbutt said the response to National Pies’ grants program has been extraordinary.

“We received more than 250 applications from across Australia and we’re thrilled with the response. We are beyond excited to be able to give back to so many deserving community groups and our grant to the Cuprona Football Club is just the beginning,” Geraldine said.

The prizes will continue to be awarded as the next rounds of awards roll out.