Mendip District Council has opened the Shape Mendip Lottery Community Fund for local organisations to apply for grants of up to £1000.

Mendip organisations have the chance to benefit from a grant pot to spend on projects that benefit the community.

Interested charities, voluntary and community groups and city, town and parish councils in Mendip, can apply for grants by visiting the website and downloading the form here: www.mendip.gov.uk/communityfund.

Applications are open now and will remain so until midnight on Sunday 15 January 2023. Successful applicants will be notified in February 2023.

Cllr Ros Wyke, Leader of Mendip District Council, said: "We hope our grants will be warmly welcomed by local groups in these tough financial times.

"The money is intended to support organisations to continue delivering their much-needed community projects.

"The application process is very simple and I hope it will encourage a wide range of community groups to apply."

Cllr Liz Leyshon, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Projects, said: "We're making these grants available for well-deserving good causes, as part of our acknowledgement and appreciation of their hard work and dedication to Mendip communities.

"The monies available have come from the Shape Mendip Lottery, which we are continuing to support to enable communities to better deliver projects for residents of all ages.

"I look forward to receiving a variety of applications to see how groups plan to make a difference in their area with this funding."

The Shape Mendip Lottery supports good causes across the district. Players can choose from more than 60 local organisations which are signed up to the scheme, from playgroups to animal shelters, village halls to community radio stations. So far, good causes are on track to raise over £9,500 this year.

There are weekly draws on a Saturday night for players to win up to £25,000 and be placed in a prize draw. For every £1 ticket, 60p goes to a good cause and the rest of money goes into the jackpot, the prizes and to cover the costs of running the lottery.

Players can choose to support one of the organisations signed-up, or opt to support the Shape Mendip Lottery Community Fund. It's donations from that fund which are now being made available as grants up to £1000.

Learn more and play the Shape Mendip Lottery here: www.shapemendiplottery.co.uk.