HUNDREDS of voluntary and community groups in Cornwall have benefited from Cornwall Council Community Chest grants of £115,000 over the last seven months.

Others could benefit if they apply before the closing date of February 17.

Every year each of Cornwall Council’s 123 councillors has a total fund of £2,000 to support projects run by not for profit groups in their area. So far this year they have handed out 440 grants that have benefited a wide range of people and activities from community facilities and environmental projects to schemes promoting healthy living, music and sport.

Cornwall councillors have given grants towards everything from lawn mowers for recreation pitches to a night-time parade of illuminated bicycles. Many groups have used the grants to attract match funding, leading to more than £1.9-million more pouring in to local projects and organisations.

Jeremy Rowe, Cornwall Council Localism Portfolio Holder, said: “Community Chest grants support a wide range of projects and groups that make a difference to so many individuals and communities across Cornwall.

“Many of Cornwall’s voluntary and community groups use these small grants to secure match funding from other grant providers, boosting their value many times over and greatly increasing their benefit to local communities.

“Some councillors have already committed all their funding to projects this year, but there’s still funding available in some areas. Get in touch with your local Cornwall councillor to find out whether they can support an application from your group.”

Not for profit groups can apply for Community Chest grants of between £100 and £1,000. Details are available at and the closing date for applications is February 17.

Some of the groups that have received Community Chest grants this year include:

l Marhamchurch Pre-School — £350 to improve an outdoor learning area; Moorland Community Cinema — £415 for cinema equipment; Gunnislake Amateur Dramatics — £500 towards an annual show; Junkyard Skatepark CIC —£496.93 for equipment for coaching sessions; Stoke Climsland Carers Group — £300 for a carers’ get together; Darite Lunch Club — £300 for kitchen equipment; Wadebridge and District Chamber of Commerce — £960 for a community bus.