From tents and archery equipment for Scouts, to football club and village hall refurbishments, communities across South Cambridgeshire are set to benefit from nearly £34,000 of grant funding – and there’s still more on offer. Since the beginning of April, 26 projects, including one in Milton, have been awarded amounts ranging from £350 to £1,500 from South Cambridgeshire District Council‘s Community Chest fund.

A total of £72,000 is available this financial year for voluntary and community sector groups, charities and parish councils to improve the quality of village life for local residents. Grants of up to £1,500 are available for:

• improvements to community facilities
• repairs to historic buildings/monuments/memorials
• tree and hedge planting schemes
• equipment and materials

Grants awarded since April include £1,500 to Milton Football Club towards upgrading the Pavilion changing facilities, £500 towards buying a computer and printer for the Mary Challis Trust in Sawston, £740 for Grantchester Cricket Club to buy a pop-up gazebo to serve teas, £840 to repaint and repair exterior woodwork, doors and fascias at Hinxton Village Hall and £1,500 towards 1st Whittlesford & Duxford Scout Group buying fencing, archery and indoor caving equipment.

Cllr Ray Manning, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

I’ve been delighted with the quality and quantity of grant applications already received. Community Chest money is awarded on a first come, first served basis, so if you know of a community group or project that would benefit from a boost of up to £1,500, please get them to apply as soon as possible.

Grant applications are accepted at any time and can completely or partially cover the costs of a project, equipment or work. For application forms and full details about the fund, plus guidance on eligibility, visit www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest