LOTTERY funding of £100,000 has been earmarked for Barnsley groups and organisations to apply for grants of up to £10,000.

From next month the National Lottery funding will be on offer thanks to a partnership between Barnsley CVS (Community and Voluntary Services), SYFAB (South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau), and the National Community Fund.

Previous grants made included awards to local Second World War veterans undertaking a commemorative visit to European battlefields, training volunteers to coach a football team of deaf players, and a party in Darfield Park.

Local groups in Barnsley are invited to apply for a grant of between £300 and £10,000. Applicants will find out whether they have been successful at a live grant-making event - chaired by representatives of the National Lottery Community Fund and Barnsley CVS - on Tuesday March 17 at Barnsley CVS, Priory Campus.

Abdou Sidibe, head of funding for Yorkshire and Humber at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We’re proud to award money, raised by National Lottery players across the UK, to support ideas and projects that matter to people and communities. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to listen, collaborate with local groups and organisations, and fund so that good things happen in places like Barnsley.”

John Marshall, chief executive of Barnsley CVS, said: “This is an excellent chance for Barnsley groups to get a project off the ground or continue their good work.

“We are proud to be hosting the first of this type of event in the north of England. I’m sure the grants will make a real difference to people and we are looking forward to hearing all the exciting ideas.”

Organisations must be based in and focus on Barnsley to be eligible. The deadline for applications is Thursday February 27.

Visit barnsleycvs.org.uk/lottery or call Barnsley CVS on 770610.